Wednesday, July 15, 2026- Kenya’s Rastafarian community has suffered a major legal setback after the High Court rejected a petition seeking permission to use cannabis as part of religious practice.
The court ruled that existing laws banning the cultivation, possession, and use of cannabis remain valid, finding that the petitioners had not provided enough legal grounds to justify a religious exemption.
The decision has reignited debate over religious freedom, drug policy, and cannabis regulation in Kenya. Rastafarians argued that cannabis is a sacred part of their faith and that criminalising its use violates constitutional protections.
However, Justice Bahati Mwamuye said any exemption would require a strong constitutional and legal foundation, while also calling for a wider national discussion on Kenya’s cannabis policies.
The ruling is expected to fuel further conversations about whether Kenya should review its approach to cannabis, especially as global attitudes toward regulation continue to change.
While the Rastafarian community has indicated plans to challenge the decision, the current law remains unchanged, leaving religious cannabis use subject to criminal penalties.
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