Freedom of Religion

Marijuana anyone?

The United States historical treatment of the Rastafarians constitutionally guaranteed right to use their religious sacrament, marijuana, have been unequal which violates the separation of church and state. Today, Rastafarians do not have the religious right to smoke ganja because it is seen as violation of the United States' drug laws. For Rasta’s, smoking cannabis is a spiritual act, which is paired with Bible Study; they consider it a sacrament that cleans the body and mind, heals the soul, exalts the consciousness, facilitates peacefulness, brings pleasure, and brings them closer to Jah (their God). Many religions make use of a sacrament (a substance with sacred and spiritual significance), the most well known being the Christians use of wine as part of Holy Communion. I myself would argue that it is unfair for the government to grant permission for the use of some religious substances over alternatives. The US Supreme Court has ruled that laws against marijuana trump religious freedoms regarding use of banned substances. The case not only touched the Rastafarians use of marijuana but involved American Indians who use peyote. Despite the long tradition of using marijuana as a sacrament throughout the world, it remains illegal. This situation is disconcerting in the United States, since the prohibition on the religious use of hemp clearly violates the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”

ANNUAL AMERICAN DEATHS CAUSED BY DRUGS

TOBACCO ...................400,000

ALCOHOL ........................ 100,000

ALL LEGAL DRUGS .............20,000

ALL ILLEGAL DRUGS ..........15,000

CAFFEINE .........................2,000

ASPIRIN ...........................500

MARIJUANA ...................... 0

Source: United States government...

National Institute on Drug Abuse,

Bureau of Mortality Statistics