Greetings Ayinde and give thanks for the link.
The issue of cannabis is always a heavy one.
In relation to rastafari there are some particular and important points.
Jimmy's saying reminds me of something similar that Gilberto Gil said. When asked about a cannabis symbol on the stage3 backgfroung of a presentation where he was showing an album in celebration of Bob Marley, he said domething like (not the exact words):
How could I disconnect Bob from his sacred herb? However, for me, I'm too old for that, I had enough during my youth (he was already the brasilian minister of culture, here).
The question of cannabis and Rasta raises a problem of credibility to the movement, where ganja is prohibited, as long as it keeps like that. Eventhough Cannabis is popular in Rastafari and is a great symbilism of the movement, it doesn't describe all the movement and it doesn't mean that one should smoke it to be a Rasta.
It reminds me also of discussions I used to observe among vegetarians and how they feel superior to people who eat meat
I mean, no one will be better than another because smokes or not cannabis. This should be a personal choice, as drinking alcohol...and if ones feel better in a "natural high" - lovelly; if others apreciate a "non-natural high" what's the matter (as long as they don't interfere in other's issues?
One point, about Rasta and ganja, as I see is that Rastafari is already very descriminated and the usisng of ganja doens't help it.
In other way, isn't Rastafari about truths and rights? Cannabis is illegal acording to human laws, in majority of countries (but not in all, and not illegal in natural laws - as it was "allowed" to exist in creation.
I believe that most people fear it because they ignore it or because they are afraid of finding it useful and feeling like an outsider of society due to the discrimiation it envolves.
Now, to a great number of Rastas it is a main issue to be defended, the "healing of the nations".
Anyway, regarding Jimmy, which I love, it's also true that everything that has a beggining has an end...and to jimmy, as he posted, to keep the fire he doesn't need the smoke anymore, wich is lovelly and would be not inteligent to use something that is not necessary anymore....
Yes, we must keep moving on, life is dynamic and not mechanic.
Moreover, I give thanks for the sharing, as usual
Many blessings,
Mandingo
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