In Jamaica, Rastas ready for pot decriminalization

Published September 13, 2014 2:29pm ET



KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — Taking a deep draw on a pipe that glows with burning marijuana, reggae luminary Bunny Wailer gives a satisfied grin through a haze of aromatic smoke in his concrete yard painted in the red, green, gold and black colors identified with his Rastafarian faith.

These days, the baritone singer from the legendary Wailers, the group he formed in 1963 with late superstars Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, has reason to feel good. There is unprecedented traction building in Jamaica to decriminalize pot, meaning the dreadlocked Wailer and other adherents of Rastafari — a homegrown spiritual movement that considers the drug divine — may soon be able to smoke without fear of arrest.

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