Rastafarians have renewed their push for the legalization of bhang after the High Court deferred the hearing of their petition to January 30, 2026. The case was filed by the Rastafari Society of Kenya (RSK), which is challenging sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Control Act that criminalize the cultivation, possession and use of cannabis.
The petitioners argue that bhang is a sacred herb central to their religious practices and that its criminalization violates their constitutional rights, including freedom of religion, belief, privacy and equality before the law. They insist that the law unfairly targets their faith while other religious practices enjoy constitutional protection.
The Rastafarians are represented in court by lawyer Shadrack Wambui, the lead counsel in the case, alongside lawyer Danstan Omari, who is part of the legal team supporting the petition. Appearing before the court, their lawyers criticized repeated delays, noting that the case has been in court for several years as the state seeks more time to respond.
The court granted the latest adjournment, setting January 30 as the next hearing date. The outcome is expected to be a significant moment in the Rastafarian community’s long-running campaign for legal recognition of bhang use for religious purposes.
