If I claimed to be a rastafarian in court, would they have to let me away with possetion of hash/weed?

It could happen in the UK - there has been a case where a man charged with possesion and intent to supply tried this but the courts did not accept that cannabis was a requirement of the Rastafarian religion. But the intent to supply in this case complicates matters and it may be that for just possesion a landmark ruling could in future be made if it went to the High courts:

"Judge urges Rastafarian to test law on cannabis"

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/judge-u...

However Italy have made a loop hole for Rastas - a few wekks ago "its Supreme Court ruled that smoking or possessing cannabis is not a criminal offence but a religious act when the person doing it is a Rastafarian."

From article:

"Rastas can use cannabis, Italian court rules"

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ras...

Now considering the Italian courts are bound by the same human rights legislation as our courts this ruling looks promising for the UK.

Having an eighth on you can get you a prison sentence in some parts of the UK and a blind eye from other police forces in the UK. Worked in the courts and saw someone sent down for just an eighth for personal use.

I am sure some lawyer must have tried your argument - but frankly if you are a dealer you are likely to have a lot more on you than just enough for personal use and therefore you will face the penalties for dealing.

However saw a recent court case in which a policeman stole drugs out of the police station - being held as evidence for trials and snorted the evidence himself - so allowing those from whom the evidence was confiscated to face much lesser charges than dealing - only enough left to charge with personal use.

If you or I stole evidence from a police station and used the drugs ourselves we would be facing over a decade in prison - But this police officer's lawyer calimed he had lost his father - would face too difficult a time in prison being an ex police officer - he will presumably be sacked following the conviction - but who can tell these days. So after all the terrible stress the thieving policeman came under he got a two year probationary sentence.

Seems to me if one wants to escape punishment these days it is much the best idea to become a police officer. Then presumably you can deal with impunity and get your stash out of police stores.

no you would be arrested and prosecuted. the religion would only allow you to do it to the extent of the law and in certain countries. there could be a loop hole by saying that you are a rasta and you did not understand the laws and the different ways in which they affect people in the different countries. you could try to use the whole bigamy example to try to be released of these charges.

No. I think they will take the view that you should be practicing the law of the land

They do (very occasionaly) make exceptions but they will go all out to investigate the claim, so if you dont know your stuff and cant back it up, you'll end up with a maximum sentance

LOL pretty funny but I don't think I would try that in court.

No