A Rastafarian arrested for having 1.6 ounces of marijuana has filed a constitutional challenge to the Dangerous Drug Act.
Police arrested Lorenzo Stubbs, of Cascarilla Street, Pinewood Gardens, at his home on December 28, 2020 after they found the small quantity of drugs.
Attorney Bjorn Ferguson notified Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt of his intention to launch the constitutional challenge at Stubbs’ arraignment on Wednesday.
Stubbs, 33, entered a not guilty plea to the charge of possession of dangerous drugs and was freed on bail.
Since his trial cannot begin while the constitutional motion is pending, the magistrate did not set a trial date. Instead, she set a date for a status hearing on May 5.
Stubbs has been practicing Rastafarianism since the age of 19.
Ferguson intends to argue that the Dangerous Drugs Act violates his constitutional right to practice his faith, as it prohibits possession of the drug even for religious purposes.
Ferguson is seeking declaration that Sections 22, 23 and 24 of the Dangerous Drugs Act are unconstitutional, an interim order for a stay of the proceedings and an order for costs.
The post Rastafarian arrested for marijuana possession files constitutional challenge appeared first on The Nassau Guardian.
source https://thenassauguardian.com/rastafarian-arrested-for-marijuana-possession-files-constitutional-challenge/
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