Rastafarians will Soon be able to Smoke the Holy Herb Legally for the first time in Jamaica
The Rastafari movement in
Jamaica uses cannabis for meditation. Originating in Jamaica in the
1930's the “holy herb” has been illegal in the country since the
beginning of the religion. This month in Jamaica a bill is in the
parliament to legalize marijuana. The bill will allow the citizens to
possess 2 ounces or less of cannabis. The new law coming into effect
will also allow Rastafarians to use cannabis for their rituals and
not fear arrest. This change would end more than a 100 year
prohibition of cannabis in the country.
Bible Verses that Talk about Marijuana
The Rastafarians accept most
of the Bible where there are certain verses that justify the use of
cannabis:
He causeth the grass for the cattle, and herb for the services of man.
Psalm 104:14
...thou shalt eat the herb of the field.
Genesis 3.18
...eat every herb of the land.
Exodus 10:12
Better is a dinner of herb where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
Proverbs 15:17
Rastafarians usually refer
to marijuana as the “holy herb” or “wisdom weed”. Used
during reasoning sessions where they have meetings they use cannabis
to meditate. They believe it gives a increased sense of community
giving religious visions and calming the followers.
Leonard Barrett looked
further into the significance and origins of cannabis in the
rastafarian culture in the book The Rastafarians, The Dreadlocks
of Jamaica. He describes
the use of marijuana as a reaction to the treatment of blacks in the
society. He concluded that the use of marijuana allows for a feeling
of freedom from establishment.
Source:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/rastafari/customs/customs_1.shtml
