Rastafarian wins marijuana appeal

Italy's highest criminal court has ruled that the fact that Rastafarians' consider marijuana use a religious sacrament should be taken into account if they are tried on drug trafficking charges.


Smoking the substance in Italy is not a crime, but being caught with amounts considered too large for personal use can bring charges of trafficking.


The Court of Cassation has thrown out the drug trafficking conviction of a 44-year-old Italian Rastafarian, ruling that the amount he possessed was in line with the heavy use that comes with his religious beliefs.


Defence lawyer Caterina Calia says the court has annulled his 16-month jail sentence.