The green light has been given for patrons attending the popular annual Rastafarian-based music festival, Rebel Salute, in St Ann, to have in their possession and smoke a limited quantity of ganja at the event – slated for January 15 and 16, 2016.

The event, which was launched on Thursday, December 17, has been granted an exemption under the Ganja Decriminalisation Act.

Justice Minister Mark Golding said all patrons will be exempt as long as they follow the conditions set out by the law.

This includes sticking to the prescribed two ounces of the weed, and extends not only to the venue, but to persons who are on their way to the festival, who will be required to demonstrate that fact.

Minister Golding said it is the second exemption application to have been reviewed by an advisory committee that has been in place since the law was passed.

The first exemption was granted to a Rastafarian festival that was held in Negril.

The Justice Minister said a protocol has been established, which the police are working with. He said it has been successful so far.

This past weekend, Jam Link Intl. hosted the 2nd annual Aarhus Xmas Reggae Splash in Aarhus, Denmark. The live show featured performances by Omar Perry, Karamanti and Pops Jabu, all backed by the More Fyah Band. After the event, the promoters posted the following on their FB page:

Jam Link Intl. would like to say thank you to everyone who came out to the 2nd Annual Aarhus Xmas Reggae Splash, as well as all those who worked behind the scenes to make it a success. Special thanks to the live performers: Omar Perry, Karamanti, Pops Jabu and the More Fyah Band. Also want to thank our selectors: Ruby Sound, Denali Sound, Kali-Ma Sound, Tiger Moth, DJ Jazz, Dancehall Ceasar and Papa Bongo. A big thank you to V58 for hosting us again this year and special thanks to our sound engineer for the night, Don Brock. To the Jam Link Intl’s graphics and media team: Thomas (graphics) / MJ Magazine (media), we say thanks. Finally, to everyone who shared the event on social media or told a friend about it, we thank you as well.

Rebel Salute, the epithet of an authentic Jamaican festival of good music, good food and good vibes will be celebrating 23 years in 2016. It serves a strict vegetarian menu complimented by a diet of cultural roots rap from Reggae’s finest. In tandem with this, is the concept of a drug-free, violence-free and non-alcoholic event.

The festival attracts thousands of patrons per year and is particularly known for luring tourists in January to the island of Jamaica. For more information, visit: http://www.rebelsalutejamaica.com/4

A few days after receiving the good news that she was crowned ‘Best Female Lovers Rock Singer 2015’ at the annual Lady Flava Network Awards in Hartford, Connecticut for the second consecutive year, reggae songbird Sophia Brown now has her sights set on delivering a winning performance at Sting 2015, the Greatest One Night Dancehall/Reggae Show on earth. The event takes place on Boxing Day, December 26 at the Jamworld Entertainment Complex in Portmore, Jamaica.

While the full Sting 2015 lineup has not yet been unveiled, event organizers said the Boxing night event will bring back the dancehall rulers of the 1980s including veteran DJs Josie Wales, Charlie Chaplain and Brigadier Jerry who are booked to deliver a three the hard way performance.

Considered one of the hardest working female performers in the industry, the sultry Brown is hoping to end the year in a blaze of glory. She started 2015 with a scintillating performance at Rebel Salute in Richmond, St Ann in January. She then delivered a first class performance in New York at the sixth annual Linkage Awards, where we she won an ‘Outstanding Achievement In Music Award’. She headlined Sophia Brown In Concert at the West Indian Social Club in Hartford, Connecticut and held fans in a musical trance at the Taste of The Caribbean and Jerk Festival in Hartford, Connecticut, where she shared stage with reggae singer Luciano. She also performs at the 15th annual Springfield Carnival at Blunt Park in Massachusetts, and graced the stage at the 29th annual Caribbean Festival at Great Plaza, Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia.

This year’s nominees – announced by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) – are The Cure by Jah Cure, Acousticalevy (Barrington Levy), Zion Awake (Luciano), Strictly Roots (Morgan Heritage), and Branches of The Same Tree by Ghanaian singer Rocky Dawuni.

Since the NARAS introduced the Best Reggae Album category (formerly known as Best Reggae Recording) in 1985, a Marley has been nominated on 17 occasions. They have won the category multiple times.

The Cure, released by VP Records in July, is the first nomination for Jah Cure. The album, which topped the Billboard Reggae Album Chart on its release, has to date sold over 10,047 copies.

Acousticalevy is also Levy’s first nomination. The acoustic collection of his biggest hits was released by Doctor Dread Presents, an independent owned by Gary ‘Dr Dread’ Himelfarb of RAS Records fame.

Zion Awake is the second Grammy nomination for Luciano. The album was released by VPAL Music and has to date sold over 1,054 copies. Luciano’s previous Grammy nomination was in 2002 for A New Day.