Rastafarian claims right to sell drug

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Daily Telegraph

Saturday 04 Nov 2000

Subject: Rastafarian claims right to sell drug
Date: Sat, 04 Nov 2000
The Daily Telegraph.

Rastafarian claims right to sell drug

International: Rastafarian cult still sees Haile Selassie as living god

A RASTAFARIAN is using the Human Rights Act in an attempt to escape a drug
dealing charge, claiming that marijuana is an aid to worship and a "sacred
commodity".
In what is believed to be the first case of its kind since the incorporation of
the European Convention on Human Rights into British law last month, Rasta
Brown, 38, says he is entitled to smoke and sell the drug under Article 9 of
the Act which states: "Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience
and religion."

Brown, from Stockwell, south-west London, had admitted possession with intent
to supply in August and was awaiting sentence at Inner London Crown Court. He
has now changed his plea to not guilty.

During a hearing yesterday Brown's counsel, Rufus D'Cruz, read passages from
the book Rasta: Emperor Haile Selassie and the Rastafarians. Mr D'Cruz said
marijuana was considered "an aid to worship, medicine and as a source of
income". The case was adjourned until Nov 17.

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