PRESS RELEASE
FEBRUARY 6, 2024

Ras Tafari community protests as a pillar of Montego Bay is convicted for dealing Ganja at his designated sacramental space while Jamaica celebrates life and legacy of Bob Marley

KINGSTON, JAMAICA - FEBRUARY 6, 2024 - Jamaican born, Charles Largie aka Ras Negus was arrested and charged for possession and dealing for approximately 2 pounds of Ganja pound inside his sacramental space in Montego Bay, St. James. After months of being dragged through the court system and standing trial, Ras Negus was convicted of the charges of possession and dealing in Ganja on January 18, 2024, and is now scheduled to be sentenced, possibly to prison on February 8, 2024. 

Ras Negus is the founder of Ras Tafari Root House, a well known and established
sacramental space in Montego Bay. St/ James. It is one of the spaces where Ras Tafari elders and adult community members can obtain their sacrement freely, safely and of a high quality. Roothouse is a founding member of the Rastafari Mansions and Organizations (RMO) and Ras Negus is a member of the management team of the Rastafari and Grassroots Ganja Association (RAGGA), a committee of the RMO.

The question the Rastafari community is asking is why, after the passage of the
Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Act in 2015, are members of the Rastafari community still being subjected to targeting, arrest, search, prosecution, conviction and sentencing for their sacrament, Ganja?

The position of the Ras Tafari Mansions and Organizations (RMO) and its ganja related committee, the Ras Tafari Ganja and Grass Roots Association (RAGGA) is that, in light of Rastafari constitutional rights to Ganja now recognised in the Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Act 2015, the presumption of dealing Ganja under section 22(7)(e) of the Act does not apply to members of the Rastafari community in possession of ganja for religious purposes as a sacrament in adherence to the Rastafari faith.

Specifically, Rastafari have the right under section 7C of the Act to:
a) possess ganja for religious purposes as a sacrament in adherence to the Rastafarian faith. There is no limit to the amount of ganja which Rastafari can legally possess under the law, provided it is being used or to be used for religious purposes as a sacrament in adherence to the Rastafarian faith. The two-ounce limit under section 7F does not apply to the Rastafari community.

Ras Negus is one of the original transporters and distributors of Rastafari sacrament, authorized repeatedly by the Minister of Justice since 2015 under the Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Act 2015, to transport and distribute Ganja for Rastafari sacramental events including Rastafari Rootzfest, Herb Curb at Rebel Salute and Canna Corner at Reggae Sumfest.

Ras Negus is clearly a Rastaman. His space is clearly a Rastafari space. The herb was clearly marked “Rastafari sacrament”. He was not seen selling Ganja to anyone.

RMO and RAGGA will therefore be hosting a protest the day after Bob Marley's birthday, demanding that the government recognize Ras Tafari’s exemption under the Dangerous Drugs Act and fully protect Rastafari Ganja rights. The protest will be held on Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at 10:00am outside Gordon House, at Duke Street, Kingston. Media is invited to attend to cover the protest and to speak with

Ras Negus and other representatives of the RMO and RAGGA.
For interviews or other queries please contact Mr. Kamau Janai (876) 420 - 5103 or email  rmojamaica@gmail.com

Links to previous articles about Ras Negus’ case

1. https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20231024/rastafarian-2022-ganja-charges-return-court-october-27

2. https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/2023/02/23/rastafarian-caught-with-ganja-to-stand-trial/

3. https://jamaica-star.com/article/news/20230426/rastas-st-james-protest-
member%E2%80%99s-ganja-charges-outside-courthouse

4. https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20230506/ras-negus-sacramental-ganja-case-still-unresolved

5.  https://jamaica-star.com/article/news/20230508/rasta-asserts-right-have-ganja