GENERAL Secretary of the Guyana Rastafarian Council, Ras Ian said the Council is not part of the Healing the Nation Theocracy Party formed by Ras Leon Saul, but is not against the setting up of any party representing Rastafarians.Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, Ras Ian said he learned about the party through the media, and cannot say if the Council will give its support as it does not know what the party is about.

But he pointed out that Rastafarians are not “big” in getting into politics, but if they decide to form a party, it will have to be through consultations with the “brethrens” and “sistrens” throughout Guyana.
Consultations, he said, would not be enough, contending that consensus will be essential of who becomes the Presidential and Prime Ministerial candidates.
Until then, he said, they will support those who support their spiritual upliftment and economic freedom.
SACRAMENTAL VALUES
When asked what these entail, Ras Ian said it is essentially the legalisation of marijuana, noting that the ban is not only a deprivation of their economic means, but also their sacramental values.
Making a pitch for legalisation, he said some people need to stop being hypocritical.
At this point, Ras Simeon added: “Look at America… they consume the most ganja but yet they are advocating for banning it, and the jailing of the I for smoking it.”
Several states in the US have legalised the smoking of marijuana but for recreational purposes, but the Government of Guyana has said explicitly that it will not be supporting the legalisation of the illicit substance, fearing a multiplication of the social problems in society.
MEDICAL MARIJUANA
Caricom Governments in March last year established a commission to analyse the possibility of legalising marijuana, following discussion of a preliminary report that found decriminalising medical marijuana could help boost the region’s economy.
Ras Leon Saul parted ways with the United Republican Party (URP) following a disagreement with the party’s Presidential Candidate Vishnu Bandhu on the legalisation of the substance.
Bandhu had said that he cannot support the legalisation as it will cause serious social repercussions in society, but Saul disagreed, saying that it is part of Rastafarian culture.
Ras Ian said because marijuana is an integral part of their culture, the council will give its support to those in favour of legalising it.
He also said that Rastafarians are fully in support of the death penalty, contending that extremists have to be punished in order for the maintenance of a stable society.
The General Secretary of the Guyana Rastafarian Council said the council does not view gays as extremists, and are not against them, but are strongly against their behaviour.
On that point, Ras Simeon interjected saying: “The Almighty takes care of people,” including “scoundrels” of the different kinds: thieves, murders, the whores and the whoremongers.