Smoking cannabis, also known as “weed”, “herb”, or “ganja” for Rasta’s is an act of spirituality that is frequently accompanied by Bible study. It is considered a sacrament that brings Jah closer to them, brings pleasure, facilitates peacefulness, exalts the consciousness, and cleans the mind and body. Rasta’s frequently burn ganja when they are in need Jah’s insight. Herb burning is frequently considered to be necessary as it will cause pain to the hearts of those that perform and promote wrongs and evil things. Arab traders to Southern and Central Africa were introduced to cannabis around the 8th century, where cannabis was known as “dagga” and most Rasta’s consider it as a part of their African culture which that they are trying to reclaim. It is sometimes also referred to as “the healing of the nation”.

The migration of thousands of Hindus from India to the Caribbean in the 20th century may have brought this culture to Jamaica. The use of ganja plants on a large scale in Jamaica dates back to the time when indentured Indians were imported and dreadlocked mystics in India have smoked cannabis for centuries.

Most Rasta’s consider the fact that cannabis is illegal in many nations as evidence that the persecution of the Rastafari is real. Rasta are not at all surprised that ganja plants are illegal and believe that it is a powerful substance which opens the minds of people to the truth. They contrast it with alcohol and other legal drugs that they believe ruins a person’s mind.
In 1998, then Attorney General of the US, Janet Reno, gave her legal opinion that the Rastafari don’t have any right, religious or otherwise, to smoke ganja plants, and that the Rasta’s were violating US’ drug laws. The position is the same in the UK, where, in the Court of Appeal it was held that the UK’s prohibition on the use of cannabis did not interfere with their freedom of religion rights which were conferred under the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

In 1991, at an international airport in his homeland of Guam, Benny Guerrero was arrested for the importation and possession of marijuana and marijuana seeds. He was charged with the importation of a controlled substance. The case was heard by the US 9th Circuit Court in 2001, and in 2002 the court had decided that the Rastafari’s practice of sanctioning marijuana smoking was legal, however, the religion did not sanction marijuana importation. Graham Boyd, Guerrero’s lawyer, pointed out the court’s ruling was the equivalent of saying that wine is a sacrament that is necessary for some Christians; however, you should grow your own grapes.