Malawi Rastas defend use of ‘weed’: 14 to answer charges for possession of ‘sacred commodity’

February 6, 2018 Nyasa Times Reporter 13 Comments

Malawi Police has said 12  rastafarians will appear in court soon to answer charges of cultivation and possession of cannabis sativa without a licence and misconduct at a police station but they have  argued that ‘weed’  is considered to be an aid to worship, a medicine and a source of income for their sect.

Cannabis is regarded as a “sacred commodity” by Rastafarians

According to Police the suspects are Ras Mishack Banda, 52, as the leader of the group, Yohane Boniface, 25; Daniel Zulu, 21; Simeon Mwale,27; Zambika Masoadyera, 27; Langizo Siliya, 24; Chadaza Phiri, 23; Patrick Mhango, 23; Gelesomo Chemili,35; Kabungwe Mwale,35; Meshack John, 24; Jonathan Sakale, 22; John Biliati, 20; and Mathews Sitolo, 20.

They were arrested for misconduct at Guillime Police Unit in Mchinji district  following the arrest of their fellow two  Rastafarians for cultivating Indian hemp in their gardens, according to Mchinji Police Station spokesperson Lubrino Kaitano.

The Rastafarians in Mchinji  mobilised themselves in an attempt to rescue their friends from the police unit and  caused commotion  by, among other things, removing the police flag, claiming they  use and sell cannabis as part of their religious beliefs and culture.

They argued at the police unit that use of marijuana should be  recognised as part of Rastafarian culture and religion.

Rastafarians said they have a right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

Cannabis is  regarded as a “sacred commodity” and “sacrament incense” with authority for its use derived from the Bible, according to the Rastafarian community.

The Rastafarians regard Chamba as a herb originally grown in the Garden of Eden for the use of mankind for religious, culinary and medicinal purposes.

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13 replies on “Malawi Rastas defend use of ‘weed’: 14 to answer charges for possession of ‘sacred commodity’”

  1. Let them go! Dont waste our resources persecuting people that are not wrong. You are failing to persecute cashgaters nde mulimbana ndi odya zomera mxuiii. Useless country’s

  3. Anthu ambiri akupanga comment apawa amasutanso chamba jus by looking at the comments. These Rastafarians should be chased out of Malawi coz ndianthu osokoneza kwambiri. How can they say smoking marijuana is their culture? There is no such culture in Malawi let them go to carribean island and practice their freedom of madness anthu opusa opanda nzeru

  4. To say the truth Cannabis is a herb that cures many diseases including Cancer, according to research it is a good pain killer also, so let us not live in denial its high time we legalize Chamba as a clinical herb, as a country we can benefit a lot as a source of Forex, for example the state of California and other 25 western countries legalized cannabis as a clinical herb , the state allows people of 21 years and above to smoke and grow it, its time we forecast what is good for the country, i believe we have the best Chamba world over . for example see below

    Marijuana and Cancer

    Marijuana is the name given to the dried buds and leaves of varieties of the Cannabis sativa plant, which can grow wild in warm and tropical climates throughout the world and be cultivated commercially. It goes by many names, including pot, grass, cannabis, weed, hemp, hash, marihuana, ganja, and dozens of others.

    The cannabis plant (also known as the hemp plant) has been used in just about every culture for centuries. In fact, cannabis is included in the 50 fundamental herbs within the cornucopia of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It has been cited in ancient texts as having a healing effect on over 100 ailments. In recent years in the United States, the collective mood is changing in regards to cannabis/hemp (aka “marijuana”).

  5. Jah Rastafarai! King of Kings, Lords of lords and Saviour. Free up jah people! Police – Malawian bombcrats!

    1. @HAILE SELLASE….KAYA NDIYE KUTI CHIYANI !!!
      MAKOSANA AMENEWA ANYA MATUBVI A CHOLERA CHIFUKWA CHOKALA UBVE NDIPATUPI POMWE NGATI NKUMBA
      KUNO KUMALAWI MUMAKUWONELELA NDI CHIKALIDWE CHANU MAKOSANA INU AMENE MUMAZITCHA KUTI MA RAS , ZOONA MPAKA KUTSISA MBENDERA YA BOMA NDIKUKAYIKA NTSANDZA ZANU AND THEN YOU WANT PEOPLE TO SYMPATHISE WITH YOU. DAMN IT …NDIPONSO MULANDU UMENEWU USACHEDWE KUTI AKALOWE , ASIYILE ANTHU ENA AZIKAZI AWO KUTI KAPENA ATA KUKWATIWA NDI AZIBAMBO ANZERU.

  7. Palibe mlandu apa. Zoona kumanga anthu chifukwa chodzala chomera chimene chinalengedwa ndi Mlengi mwini wake komanso anthu ake oti anapatsidwa udindo woyang’anira chilengedwecho ndi Mlengiyo? Release the 12 Rastas unconditionally now, now!

  10. Don’t let them be free, zikhale zinthu akasuta mkumati ” munthu akubwera apoyo akuyenda ndi mutu”akwizingeni basi osawasiya akuononga dziko amenewa.

  12. Hey Police, leave these people go out there and catch big trouble makers. Let Jah men free and use their herb.

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