Community service for Rasta smoking weed at Sunday rally

FOR whipping out a joint of marijuana and smoking it in full view of Sunday's All Mansions of Rastafari (AMOR) rally in Skinner Park, San Fernando, Makaan Grant, 27, must do 80 hours of community service.

That was the sentence imposed by magistrate Alicia Chankar in the San Fernando Magistrates' Court this morning. She told Grant, of Maracas, that marijuana possession, despite the current heated debate, is still illegal.

He was arrested at about 6 pm during the height of the rally, where speakers called for the government to decriminalise marijuana for religious purposes.

The Government is considering decriminalising marijuana for medicinal purposes only.

Grant pleaded guilty to having .6 grammes of marijuana.

Police prosecutor Cleyon Seedan said that Cpl Vinton Dinoo saw Grant walking on the outer perimeter of Skinner Park, smoking a cigarette of unusual length. He and other police officers confronted him and he replied, "Boss, is just a lil smoke I have."

Grant, mitigating on his own behalf, told Chanka that he smoked the herb in accordance with his Rastafarian belief and culture.

However, Chankar said that despite the current debate, the law must be upheld, adding that Grant's walking and smoking in full view of people was a blatant violation.

She ordered him to peform 80 hours' community service, begining next week Monday and must complete it by June 30.

A member of AMOR was present for the hearing.