Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis: Prime Minister of the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis – Dr Terrance Drew, has delivered remarks mentioning the Rastafari Rights Recognition Bill and passed the law on June 20, 2023, during the National Assembly Meeting. The day was marked as a significant day in the history of the Twin Island Federation.
As per the shared information, a total of three bills were passed during the sitting of the National Assembly, including the Rastafari Rights Recognition Bill, the Smoking (Designated Areas) Bill, 2023; Freedom of Conscience (Cannabis) Bills, 2023, and the Drugs (Prevention and Abatement of the Misuse and Abuse of Drugs) (Amendment) Bills, 2023.
During the debate, it was stated that the people who belonged to the Rasta community would now enjoy their constitutional rights and other benefits in the Federation.
The men and women are now considerably recognized and enriched to provide a better lifestyle to the Rastafari people as the law and order of the country support their rights and culture.
On his part, the Attorney General of St Kitts and Nevis, Garth Wilkin, has also presented his view on the debate and appreciated the efforts and hard work of the St Kitts and Nevis Government for taking such considerable steps.
He noted in his remarks that “If there was ever a manifestation of the words penned by Robert Nesta Marley 40 years ago, in 1983, in his popular Reggae song Rastaman Live Up: “Iyaman live up, Rastaman don’t give up”, this case was it.”
While extending his remarks, Prime Minister Terrance Drew has also added that the community of Rasta people has the right to cultivate, harvest, dry, cure, trim, smoke cannabis, and possess it as a sacrament for their upliftment or identification legally at their places of assembly in the Twin Island Federation.
Furthermore, following the presentation of the Rastafari Rights Bill, the Rasta can now have access to tax and receive other concessions required to promote their businesses and farms to be cultivated.
The Medical Cannabis Authority will also provide free-of-cost access to the licences in the near times, said reports. The Rasta community are now provided with the legal status and rights to embrace their culture and values in St Kitts and Nevis.