Rastafari Rootzfest™, the first legally exempt ganja event in Jamaica, was designed as a celebration of indigenous Rastafari livity including the spiritual and physical importance of cannabis as a sacramental herb. The second staging of Rastafari Rootzfest™ returns to Long Bay Beach Park in global ganja capital Negril from December 9-11, 2016. The three day and night festival opens at 12noon daily and will feature over 50 exhibitors and top ital food brands in the Ganja Expo and Rasta Village.
Addressing the audience at the festival’s Kingston media launch, Rastafari Rootzfest CEO Ras Iyah V, announced the line-up for two nights of signature Reggae concerts on the beach with a solid lineup of Jamaican talent taking the stage December 9th and 10th including - Freddie McGregor, Half Pint, Sister Carol, Protoje, Richie Spice, Andrew Tosh, Chezidek, Lutan Fyah, Dre Island, Daweh Congo, Sevana and Yvad backed by the Hi-Grade Band. Nyahbinghi House drummers and guest djs will provide an ongoing soundtrack for festival guests, from the extensive catalogue of Rastafari chants and anthems to the countless cannabis themed recordings created by Reggae artistes such as Peter Tosh whose international ganja anthem ‘Legalize It’, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. This year’s seminar series will be presented in association with Oaksterdam University, the festival's International Education Partner and America’s first cannabis college. Topics will be explored through two growers workshops and 10 seminars on a various aspects including Investment, Standards, Innovation and Technology. Rastafari Rootzfest is committed to enabling the growth of Jamaica’s cannabis, tourism, wellness and entertainment industries through the participation of indigenous and grassroots people in the new green economy. The festival offers opportunities for networking, exposure to best practices and global research trends as well as investment and educational opportunities.
Ganjamaica Cup cannabis competition has been launched and growers island-wide are invited to enter and showcase indigenous plant strains to be judged by an expert panel. The cup is open to resident and non-resident growers partnering with Jamaican growers and entry fee is J$10,000/submission with a completed entry form. Submissions are open to December 2, 2016 and the winners will be recognized at the festival’s awards ceremony on Sunday at 5pm.
Rastafari Rootzfest™ is sponsored by the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), Alpha Cat, Yellow Bird Resort, Skunk Magazine, Bess FM, IRIE FM and endorsed by the Jamaica Tourist Board, Negril Chamber of Commerce and the Westmoreland Hemp & Ganja Farmers Association (WHGFA) and approved by the Ministry of Justice. Production partners are John Swaby Entertainment, Reggae 360X, Kush Art, Janai Productions, Ganjagram, Goffe Law Office and Villa Loyola. Tickets go on sale island-wide on November 25th at Fontana Pharmacies and Western Sports Centre Negril. Must be 18 years or older to attend. ID required.