BANTON... Rastas use herbs as a religious sacrament so we shouldn't be persecuted

FROM the outset of his career, entertainer Buju Banton has been surrounded by controversy.

His first hit single, Browning, generated considerable discussion after detractors of the song attempted to start a racial debate. The then budding DJ counteracted any negative arguments by recording the song, Black Woman, which was an immediate success.

During a stint in the Cayman Islands, Buju Banton was arrested for discharging a firearm in public. He spent time in jail for the offence and was fined by the Cayman Islands authorities.

With the release of the single Boom Bye Bye, Buju was perhaps faced with the most serious challenge of his career. The gay community harshly criticised the artiste for the song which the gays claimed, called for the shooting death of homosexuals. The gay community called for a boycott of Banton's works.

The most recent controversy to hound the Rastafarian chanter is his recent run-in with police when he was arrested and charged with possession and cultivation of marijuana. The incident happened hours after the announcement was made that Banton, whose real name is Mark Myrie, was among five artistes who were recently nominated for a Reggae Grammy award.

Rastafarians have long advocated the private use of marijuana and have been associated with the smoking of the cured form of the plant for decades. Banton's arrest comes at a time when a joint select committee of Parliament is discussing the matter of decriminalising ganja..

"I have been one of the persons who have been championing the cause of decriminalising the herb" Buju told Splash, "Rastas use herbs as a religious sacrament so we shouldn't be persecuted.".

Buju has had a busy schedule this year, having toured Europe, North America, and the Caribbean extensively to promote his sixth album, Friends For Life.

Just days before the ganja incident, the lanky entertainer returned from the island of Anguilla where he brought the house down during a stellar performance. Before the Anguilla gig, Banton performed at the Reggae Carifest show in Florida.

"We have really campaigned hard this year to promote the album" Banton said as he sipped fruit juice from a glass inside the grounds of his Gargamel studios.

Buju Banton will be performing at a number of events this year, inclusive of the Stone Love 31st Anniversary party, Appleton Hot Shots and his own Jamming in the Hills Part 2 stage show which will be held at Gutters in St James on New Year's Eve.

Apart from Buju Banton, Jamming In The Hills Part 2 will feature acts such as Boom Dandimite, Galaxy P, Singer J, Mark 10, General B, Ghost, and a host of other entertainers.

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