Polish rapper and pro-cannabis activist faces potential prison sentence

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Polish rapper and pro-cannabis activist faces potential prison sentence
Photo: Manish Panghal - Unsplash

A Polish rapper, who goes by the pseudonym Mata, is facing conviction by prosecutors after having been arrested for being in possession of 1.45 grams of marijuana in January. The rapper has since spoken publicly about his desire for the legalisation of marijuana in Poland. 

Polsat News have reported how Mata, whose real name is Michał M, was detained alongside a friend in the neighbourhood of Gorny Mokotow in January. Both were in possession of small amounts of cannabis, which they claimed was only for personal use. Whilst Mata had 1.45 grams, his friend possessed 0.39 grams. 

The Prosecutor’s Office of the Warsaw district of the arrest has decided to file an indictment with the court, which has now been published in the Polish media. The justification for the indictment points to the fact that since his arrest Mata had appeared at numerous events as a public figure and had called for people to campaign for the legalisation of the possession of marijuana. During these events, he had stated that “all of Poland is in love with marijuana” and expressed his desire to campaign in favour of its legalisation. 

The rapper has also created an organisation named Foundation 420 – the name being a reference to the April 20 date which is unofficially recognised as ‘cannabis day’. 

The Prosecutor’s Office says that during an interview after his arrest the rapper had expressed remorse, but then a few days later publicly spoke in favour of legalisation of marijuana possession. They have said they believe he should be sentenced because “it is required for educational and preventive reasons, and in particular it is desirable to shape the accused’s socially acceptable attitude.” The indictment also argued that the rapper is a public figure who “has a great influence especially on young, teenage people” and so therefore an indictment is “justified and necessary”. 

Possession of drugs in Poland is punishable by up to three years in prison.


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