Not all Rastafarians smoke weed. The Rastas who do smoke it, smoke for a spiritual purpose. It is used to heighten feelings of community and a connection between Jah and man and nature. It is also used to produce visions. The Rastafarians believe that marijuana use is sacred. They also cite quotes from the bible that they claim justifies their marijuana use.
As with most things Rasta, smoking marijuana must also be understood as a fundamentally political act. It symbolizes their refusal to hide behind laws and customs of Babylon while fulfilling the commandments of the Bible. Many Rastas decry the pollicization of their ritual use of ganja, feeling it has become a political herb. The ritual use of ganja is sanctioned for most. Scholars and Rastas alike consider marijuana use among the most dominant force of the movement.
