Attorney-at-law Marcus Goffe has voiced his frustration over the ongoing harassment and convictions faced by members of the Rastafari community in Trinidad and Tobago, who cultivate ganja for sacramental purposes. Despite the 2015 amendment to the Dangerous Drugs Act granting the group the right to use ganja as a sacrament, Goffe argues that law enforcement continues to target Rastafarians.
Goffe emphasized the need to stop this harassment, pointing out that the amendment explicitly recognized Rastafari ganja rights. He highlighted the discrepancy between the law and its implementation, calling for a clearer and more expansive interpretation.
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“There seems to be some confusion in interpreting the law. It needs to be clarified and implemented properly,” Goffe stated. He suggested a re-education plan for government agents to ensure they understand and respect the Rastafarians’ exemption under the Dangerous Drugs Act.
A recent case illustrating this issue involved Goffe’s client, Nickoy Morgan (Ras Jabali Seba), who was arrested and charged for possession of approximately two pounds of ganja found in his ‘sacramental space’ at House of Seba in Salt Marsh, Trelawny. This incident occurred just after the Rastafari Mansion and Organisation (RMO) hosted a community gathering at the same location.
“The police cannot decide that a shop is not a Rastafari space because it sells other items. Using the sale of other products to prosecute someone for selling ganja, which they are allowed to use as a sacrament, is unfair,” Goffe explained. He believes this constitutes a violation of his client’s religious freedom and amounts to blatant discrimination.
Goffe also criticized the refusal of security forces to recognize Rastafarian ‘mansions’ as places of worship, noting that the current law to register places of worship often applies a Christian context that doesn’t accommodate traditional Rastafarian gathering places.
Under the current law, anyone in possession of eight or more ounces of ganja is presumed to be dealing in ganja. This presumption, along with the nature of ganja packaging and cash exchanges, complicates interactions between Rastafarians and law enforcement. The lack of clear definitions for Rastafarian practices and sacramental use of ganja further exacerbates these issues.
Years ago, the Ministry of Justice attempted to create a registry of sacramental sites — known as Rastafarian mansions — where Rastafarians could use ganja in their rituals. However, this initiative faced significant challenges, including raids on these sites, which led to increased mistrust between the Rastafarian community and the authorities.
Goffe remains critical of the authorities’ handling of these situations, asserting that places like House of Seba are clearly Rastafari spaces and should be recognized and respected as such.
The ongoing frustrations reflect broader challenges within the local cannabis industry, which has struggled to fulfill its potential as a major job-generator and income-earner. The lack of a clear, long-term strategy from the government has left many, including Goffe, feeling disappointed and frustrated with the industry’s current state.
