MONTEGO BAY, St James — Members of the Rastafarian community in western Jamaica want to see the back of any ambiguity that leaves them at the mercy of those interpreting and enforcing the law on the use of ganja. They are also calling for the legislation on the use of the herb to be conspicuously posted in public spaces.

The Rastafarians are fuming over claims that they are still being arrested and dragged before the courts for possession of ganja even after the 2015 amendment to the Dangerous Act, which provides them with the right to use the weed for sacramental purposes.

“The laws must be enacted in such a way that there is no grey area, because it is not to be left up to the discretion of the police to arrest or not to arrest. It is not to be left up to the judges to fine or not to fine,” long-time ganja advocate Ras Iyah V charged during a recent press conference at the Millennium Victory Restaurant in Montego Bay, St James.

When the Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Act 2015 came into effect, new provisions were put in place regarding the possession and smoking of ganja, use of ganja by persons of the Rastafarian faith, and use of ganja for medical, therapeutic and scientific purposes.

“We are asking that when these laws are amended that they be placed in the police stations just like how the pictures of wanted people are posted in the police station. That means you cannot use ignorance as an excuse to say you didn’t know. We want it to be stated in a way that there is no mistake by the police,” lobbied the vocal Ras Iyah V.

He cited two recent examples of Rastafarians being slapped with ganja-related charges and the difference in how the cases were handled in court. One of was eventually fined and the other freed.

“Here are two cases and one judge is saying Rastaman is not supposed to be charged [but] the other judge charging the brethren and fining the brethren. I and I saying that there are inconsistencies in the law how it is being carried out,” Iyah V argued.

“We are calling on the Government to enact laws to protect, ensure and guarantee the rights of Rastafari where herb is concerned,” added the senior member of the Rastafarian faith.

Pointing to what he said was a recent police raid at a “Nyabinghi Centre, a sacred place”, he questioned whether Rastafarian business establishments were being targeted by the Government. He cautioned that there must not be a return to the past when being caught with a seed or leaf of the plant would land Rastafarians in jail.

“When you were caught with a seed or a leaf it was mandatory that you go to prison for a month. If having one conviction you were caught with a next seed or leaf or have one plant, it was mandatory that you go to prison for five years,” said Iyah V.

“I have gone through all of these things until 1972 when the laws were amended under Michael Manley Administration [only] to see Rastafari continuing to experience these harassment,” he added.

Iyah V also cited the absurdity surrounding the current law which allows five ganja plants for each household yet only allows two ounces per person.

“What if one plant can produce half pound or a pound of herb and this man reaping his five plants and it comes to two pound or it come to a pound and a half of herb? The police can’t go in there and lock him up for the five plants of herb but him can lock him up for the pound of herb. These are the things that need to be straightened out by the Government,” urged Iyah V.