Rastafarian entertainer Buju Banton will be banned from entering Britain following his conviction last month for possession and cultivation of marijuana.
The maximum sentence for cultivating marijuana in the UK is 14 years in prison.
Jamaican Magistrates convicted Buju, 30, after a police raid on his studio complex in December, which uncovered a single marijuana plant.
And although he was only punished with a fine of JA$9,000 (?800) or 60 days in prison, the sentence means that Buju, real name, Mark Myrie, is likely to be refused entry to Britain. He has already been banned from America, where he has a number of forthcoming tour dates.
Buju (pictured) says he only discovered the severity of the conviction after being detained for 18 hours in Miami International Airport. He was then deported back to Jamaica.
Last week Buju said he was disappointed that Jamaican courts had chosen to convict him of the offence, considering his huge contribution to reggae music and Jamaica in general.
He told New Nation: ?I think people know I have always been a straight-up person, a Continued from page 1 personality who stands up for the cause of uplifting the world with my music.
?But I have been railroaded in my own country by my people who should be protecting me. Therefore it is a great, great distress to me as a man who stands up for so much things and for Jamaica.?
For the past 10 years Buju has been one of Jamaica?s most prolific musical exports, selling millions of records and touring across the globe.
He is baffled as to why his country?s government would by its actions restrict one of its most prominent ambassadors.
His next album, Rasta God Soul, is scheduled for release later this year, and he believes the conviction may be part of a wider conspiracy to stifle roots music in favour of ?dancehall pop?.
?They have attempted many a time to try and stop me from saying what truly feel from my soul, but that will never stop.
?People should know that anyone who speaks out for their rights is gonna be labelled as a terrorist sooner or later.?
There may, however, be some light at the end of the tunnel. The Home Office spokesman added:
?Sometimes high-profile stars are allowed in on compassionate grounds or if it is going to be a huge benefit to the public,? he said.
Buju was originally charged only with possession of ganja, but a second charge of cultivating was slapped on him when he appeared in court.
Although his attorney, Christopher Dunkley, asked the court to exercise its discretion and not record the conviction, this was declined. Dunkley has applied for an appeal hearing.
?The world needs to take a look at some of the things that are happening in Jamaica,? said Buju.
?Here, people who deal with the system are not fair and therefore both the good and bad suffer. ?That is why our penal institutions are filled with innocent young men whose lives and futures have been tampered with because they have been incarcerated for things they know nothing about.?
