Why Rastafarians should be legally allowed to use marijuana By: Joe Norton

PROBLEM! The government is biased! The government makes exceptions for the Christian faith, but not Rastafarians? The government is forcing practitioners of the Rastafarian faith to perform their 1 st amendment protected right to freedom of religion in secret for fear of incarceration!

Background Rastafarianism Similar to Christianity Dedicated against any type of oppression and tyranny Believe Haille Selassie, a past emperor of Ethiopia to be a messiah Bob Marley was a prophet Closely linked with music One of the religions officially declared by the united states to be a real religion Marijuana Naturally occurring plant Most widely used illegal psychoactive in the world Known for its unique body euphoria, increased sensory appreciation and awareness Used widely in the history of civilization Became illegal in 1937

Volstead Act The act in 1919 that made all beverages exceeding.5% alcohol illegal Christians use wine in their services, therefore it is a religious sacrament Christians were granted exception in order to continue practicing their freedom of religion

Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) Bill Clinton signed this act in 1993 “there now must be a compelling state interest to infringe on alleged religious liberties" - Supreme Court Gave power to citizens and religious groups The argument now becomes, does controlling illegal substances count as a compelling state interest and thus give them the right to infringe on religious liberties?

Uniao de Vegetal (UDV) The Uniao de Vegetal is a brazillian church which has roughly 130 members and is located in New Mexico. The sacrament of their official religion is a hallucinogenic tea made with DMT a scheduled substance just like marijuana. They became allowed to use hallucinogenic tea as of a March 31st 2006 court decision by the supreme court. According to the Christian Century, a religious journal, Chief Justice Roberts is quoted as saying "If such use is permitted… for hundreds of thousands of Native Americans practicing their faith, it is difficult to justify denying consideration of a similar exception for the 130 or so American members of the UDV who want to practice theirs," Then is it okay to deny this very right to Rastafarians?????

Problem Restated The United States of America is a great place, however it's historical treatment of the Rastafarian people and their constitutionally guaranteed right to use their religious sacrament, marijuana, have been unequal which violates the separation of church and state which can overtime bias our society. It is our duty as citizens and as people with a vested interest in the outcome of this government/society to campaign for the legalization of marijuana for the religious use of the Rastafarian people to keep our government unbiased. The government has made exceptions for the Christian people during the Volstead Act in 1919, and for the brazillian church UDV during the RFRA Act in Why not for the Rastafarians?

THE SOLUTION! We can make a difference. Go out and vote for the NORML political organization on election day. The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.