Forwarded from Ras Simba of African Heritage Foundation by Ras Jahaziel.
While the government of Barbados continues to deny Rastafari their constitutional right to use cannabis within their spiritual observances; in the privacy of their homes, Rastafari are still being harassed and penalized for cannabis possession.
Today I read a local news article informing of a 61 year old Rastafari man charged with possession of the cannabis plant and also cultivating the cannabis plant. Although his lawyer made mention of the constitutional matter I, along with several members of the Rastafari community have against the Attorney General, Chief Magistrate Ian Weeks failed to recognize the constitutional rights of Ras Michael Blackman. The article reports that Magistrate Weeks while stressing that even under the sacrament act laws and regulations had to be followed. Ras Blackman’s lawyer, Reco Blackman should be challenging the state on its infringing on his client’s constitutional rights when in the privacy of his home. One would think that magistrates, judges and other such practitioners of the law would be the first to defend the rights of individuals and the power of the Barbados constitution, as it is the highest law of this land. Sadly, this is does not seem to be the case.
No Rastafari in 2024 should be charged for possession or cultivation without a constitutional challenge. Barbadian lawyers are not doing their work or maybe they are!
Recently, I listened in abject disbelief and disgust to a radio program speaking about Medical Marijuana and the industry here in Barbados. Featured on the program where two Rases I know well.
Ras Bongo Spear gave information on the history of the cannabis plant, its prohibition: with those roots stemming from colonialism and apartheid. It was ‘on point’ and well received by listeners including myself. However, Sister Sheba who spoke on the traditional usage of the cannabis plant and who sits on the board of the Barbados Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Authority BMCLA, that denies the people of Barbados inclusive of Rastafari the right to use the plant as medicine as they have traditionally done for years, her contribution I found wanting. While she serves the BMCLA her brothers and sisters face tribulation daily over the cultural medicinal use of the cannabis plant. This seems to be an ethical contradiction in the eyes of the Rastafari community. We must not serve those who so blatantly oppress us.
The CARICOM Conference of Heads of Government at its Twenty-Fifth Inter- Sessional Meeting convened in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, 10 -11 March 2014, mandated the establishment of a Commission to interrogate the issue of possible reform to the legal regimes regulating cannabis/ marijuana in CARICOM countries. One of the things reported in the findings of that commission was, that for years, Caribbean citizens had promoted the value of marijuana for its medicinal properties. This means cannabis has a medicinal history in the region long before money seeking politicians came on the scene speaking about Medical marijuana industries.
Recently, I asked, “Why consideration of a policy shift to include “smokables” was on the table and why not traditional cannabis use?” I was told by the head of the BMCLA to bring in something that speaks to my assertions that cannabis has a medicinal place within a traditional framework. Why should I do that when CARICOM has a report that speaks to this? As the head of the BMCLA she would know this. The findings of that commission also include suggestions that before entering into medical marijuana industries, governments should relax some of its draconian marijuana laws. Every other island involved with Medical Cannabis has seen the morality and ethical substance of these findings and giving its citizens some legal access to the plant. Every other CARICOM citizen in related island can cultivate and possess legal amounts of the cannabis plant. NOT BOUT HERE!. Here in Barbados we are fined or charged for the seed, stem, leaf or root.
Rastafari must reject all cannabis offers by government until we are given our cannabis freedom. Non Rastafari Barbadians should do likewise. We must call for a national boycott of the BMCLA and the colonial marijuana industry established here.
Finally no other plant of natural origin carries the title of DRUGS. If the standing of the cannabis plant is to change the media must stop calling cannabis DRUGS in its reporting.
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