Research:2006-09-30/Journal article/the-significance-of-the-use-of-ganja-as-a-religious-ritual-in-the-rastafari-movement

Research record30 September 2006Journal article

The significance of the use of ganja as a religious ritual in the Rastafari movement

S.P. Pretorius

Verbum et Ecclesia · 2006

Abstract

In 2000, the South African Constitutional Court ruled that religious freedom, including the exercise of religious rituals, may not contradict the laws of the country. This ruling came as a result of the Western Cape Law Society’s refusal to admit a Rastafarian as lawyer because of his habit of smoking marijuana. He appealed to the Constitutional Court and claimed that the ruling infringed upon his right to religious freedom. The Constitutional Court upheld the decision that no exception may be made for one religion.

The paper's abstract, reproduced as published.

DOI

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Record created 3 July 2026 · maintained by landrace.wiki editors · page history

Published30 Sep 2006

TypeJournal article

VenueVerbum et Ecclesia

Year2006

DOI10.4102/ve.v27i3.199

CountrySouth Africa

DOI

2006-09-30 2026-07-03 The significance of the use of ganja as a religious ritual in the Rastafari movement Journal article Culture S.P. Pretorius Verbum et Ecclesia 2006 10.4102/ve.v27i3.199 https://doi.org/10.4102/ve.v27i3.199 A religious-studies treatment of the significance of ganja as a Rastafari ritual, tied to the 2002 Prince ruling. A dedicated South African account of the sacrament. In 2000, the South African Constitutional Court ruled that religious freedom, including the exercise of religious rituals, may not contradict the laws of the country. This ruling came as a result of the Western Cape Law Society’s refusal to admit a Rastafarian as lawyer because of his habit of smoking marijuana. He appealed to the Constitutional Court and claimed that the ruling infringed upon his right to religious freedom. The Constitutional Court upheld the decision that no exception may be made for one religion. South Africa