Rastafari in Antigua Gain Legal Right to Grow and Use Marijuana for Religious Purposes

Rastafari in Antigua are now legally growing and smoking marijuana on the same ground where their enslaved ancestors were forced to plant sugar cane.
The government of Antigua and Barbuda has granted Rastafari authorization to grow and smoke their sacramental herb, and has also decriminalized the use of marijuana for people outside the faith.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne apologized publicly to the Rastafari community for the oppression and religious persecution they suffered, and granted them licenses to grow the plant for religious purposes.
Antigua and Barbuda's comprehensive initiative could spur more organizing for the sacramental recognition of cannabis in other islands, and set a global example.
The Ras Freeman Foundation for the Unification of Rastafari has transformed a former sugar cane plantation into worship grounds, sustainable farmland, and the headquarters for one of the island's main Rastafari groups.