Antigua and Barbuda becomes first Caribbean country to grant Rasta community official sacramental authorisation to grow cannabis.
Last week, members of Antigua and Barbuda’s Rastafari community were presented with their legal authorisation during a historic signing ceremony at the Prime Minister’s Office.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne praised the Rastafari community for their resilience over the years and granted religious and cultural group the landmark authorising under the 2018 Cannabis Act.
At a special ceremony, renowned Rastafari leaders, Glasford “King Sagyefo” Mack of the Nyabinghi Theocracy Church, Kiyode Erasto Straker of the RasFreeman Foundation for the Unification of Rastafari, and Kenrick Lloyd of the Wan Love Chant were presented with certificates by the Medicinal Cannabis Authority (MCA), which will legally allow them the right to cultivate cannabis for religious purposes.
“I believe, as a faith-based institution, that your organisation should be respected by all,” the Prime Minister said.
“We have adopted many European and non-European religions and we have a Pan-African religion … and instead of embracing it, we have sought to destroy it … I want to encourage you to stand your ground [and] continue to exercise that resilience.”
The PM said there needs to be more collaboration between his government and Rastafari community in areas like developing the cannabis industry and in agriculture – to help ensure food security on the twin islands.
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Source: voice-online.co.uk
