# Kenyan court upholds cannabis ban for non-religious use

- Topic: world
- Source: BBC News
- Published: 2026-07-15
- Original: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0lyl5ryyr4o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
- Language: en
- Image: https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/240/cpsprodpb/40bf/live/f5625400-8035-11f1-b976-0b9c15b0ccfc.jpg

A Kenyan court has dismissed a bid by Rastafarians to legalize cannabis for religious purposes. The ruling has dealt a significant blow to the community's six-year legal battle. The court found that the Rastafarians failed to provide sufficient evidence that cannabis is an essential element of their faith.

## Key takeaways

- Kenya's High Court upheld the constitutionality of the country's anti-drug laws.
- The Rastafarian community argued that the ban on cannabis infringed on their rights to freedom of religion and belief.
- The court acknowledged the need for a broader national debate on cannabis, but ruled that it is not essential to the Rastafarian faith.

> Summary by Daily Read Bytes. Read the original at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0lyl5ryyr4o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss