Kenya's Rastafarians lose court battle over religious cannabis use
Kenya's Rastafarian community has lost a landmark court case seeking the right to use cannabis for religious purposes. After years of legal efforts, the court ruled against them.
After years of waiting, Kenya's Rastafarian community has suffered a setback in their fight for religious freedom. A landmark court battle over the religious use of cannabis has ended in defeat for the group. The Rastafarians had argued that cannabis is a holy herb and a central sacrament in their faith, used in meditation and worship. The court, however, sided against them. The ruling is a significant blow to the community, which has long sought legal recognition of their religious practices involving marijuana.
In other news from the continent, Africa's top cocoa producers have announced a joint initiative to process more cocoa domestically. Instead of exporting raw beans, they aim to add value by processing cocoa into finished or semi-finished products at home. This move is expected to boost local economies and retain more profits within the continent.
Meanwhile, on the beaches of Dakar, an environmental activist is drawing attention with a unique approach to raising awareness about plastic pollution. She wears a colorful outfit made entirely from discarded plastic waste. Her striking appearance aims to highlight the problem of plastic waste and encourage more sustainable practices.
These stories were featured in a recent broadcast of France 24's program.
