NAIROBI, Kenya — Members of the Rastafarian Society of Kenya have asked the High Court to allow the use of cannabis in religious worship, arguing that the herb is sacred in their faith and essential to their spiritual practices.
During proceedings before Justice Bahati Mwamuye at the High Court of Kenya, representatives of the society testified that cannabis, commonly referred to locally as bhang, is a holy herb given by God, used during spiritual rituals, meditation and communal discussions known as “reasoning sessions.”
According to the group, these sessions allow adherents to reflect on spiritual teachings and discuss social issues affecting their communities.
Through their legal representatives, advocates Shadrack Wambui and Danstan Omari, the petitioners argue that Kenya’s laws prohibiting the use of cannabis infringe upon the constitutional right to freedom of religion.
The lawyers told the court that Rastafarians do not use the herb recreationally but rather as part of sacred rituals practiced by consenting adults aged 18 and above.
The petition therefore seeks a religious exemption that would permit members of the Rastafarian faith to use cannabis strictly within the context of spiritual observance.
The case raises broader legal questions about how the Kenyan legal system balances drug control laws with constitutional protections on religious freedom.
Kenya currently classifies cannabis as an illegal substance under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, which imposes strict penalties for possession, cultivation, or distribution.
However, the Rastafarian Society argues that the law should recognise limited religious use, similar to legal accommodations granted in some jurisdictions for religious practices involving otherwise restricted substances.
Legal experts note that the case could become a landmark ruling if the court decides to interpret constitutional rights in a way that allows religious exemptions.
The petition comes at a time when several countries are reassessing cannabis policies amid broader debates about medical, cultural and religious uses.
In some jurisdictions, courts have recognised limited exemptions for religious communities whose spiritual traditions involve cannabis use.
Rastafarianism, which originated in Jamaica in the 1930s, regards cannabis as a sacred plant used to enhance meditation, spiritual awareness and communal reasoning.
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Followers believe the herb helps deepen their connection with the divine and promotes reflection on moral and social issues.
The High Court is expected to consider whether Kenya’s existing drug laws can accommodate religious freedoms without undermining public health and law enforcement objectives.
If the court rules in favour of the petitioners, it could establish a legal precedent for faith-based exemptions in Kenya.
For now, the case continues to draw national attention as it touches on the intersection of religion, law, and personal freedoms in the country.
