Last month I shared with you the story of a Rastafarian, the Rev. Nancy Harris, who is charged with commercial promotion of a detrimental drug, namely marijuana, along with two counts of paraphernalia.
Today I received the following letter from Nancy, and I’m passing it along to keep you apprised of the case:
“We’re having the next and last of the hearing on whether the raid at Sacred Truth Mission was a violation of my constitutional rights this Friday, the 24th. If we lose, the jury trial will proceed soon, and I will be answering criminal charges of commercial promotion of marijuana and paraphernalia.
Keith Kamita, the head of Narcotics Enforcement in Hawaii, will testify for the State. They will also call a pharmacist and a substance abuse counselor. We will be asking them some hard questions, and we will be introducing our own witnesses to rebut their testimony. In short, the State will be saying that the marijuana laws are so important that they override our right to practice our religion, and we will be saying that there are serious problems with the laws and anyway, they do not negate our constitutionally guaranteed freedoms.
I’m writing to ask everyone to keep me, and our church, Sacred Truth Mission, in your thoughts and prayers. And if you are in or close to Hilo, please join us in court. We are scheduled for 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and again at 1:30 p.m. We will be holding a prayer circle outside the courtroom at 7:55 a.m., and again at 1:25 p.m..
It really does help to have people there in court watching, and in the prayer circle. Even though I am personally honored and blessed to be able to do this work, being tried as a criminal is a stressful ordeal, and it helps to have some friendly faces in the courtroom. The prosecutor has “invoked the exclusionary rule” so witnesses cannot be in the courtroom except for when they’re testifyng. That means that church members like Rev. Kenny cannot give me moral support of their presence if they’re witnesses, and even my son Ted has to wait outside too. So far, each time community members have joined us, and I am so grateful for that there are no adequate words. I simply thank you all from the bottom of my heart..
I also believe that having all of your lights shining on the testimony helps the truth to come out, and helps to dispel the darkness of lies.
If you can see your way to join us, thank you in advance. If you cannot join us in person, please do join us in prayer!
One Louve,
Rev. Nancy”
July 25th, 2009 at 11:29 am
Aloha Tiffany,
Thank you for the coverage, and for the opportunity to share our experiences with your readers.
Friday’s hearing was full of surprises. The State witnesses were surprisingly weak. Keith Kamita, director of the State’s Narcotics Enforcement, testified that marijuana is a Schedule I substance. Then he shockingly denied the State’s authority, claiming that the State does not have the power to make scheduling decisions that are less restrictive than the federal schedules.
The State’s pharmacist testified that marijuana was “potentially carcinogenic” and that the unwanted side effects were “euphoria” and “a sense of well being.” His most damning claim was that there was a student in Europe who was found dead in his dormatory room where there was a large quantity of marijuana and a bong. Cause of death was unknown, but there were no other chemicals found in his blood, and they found THC in his urine, so it had to be the marijuana, didn’t it? He was stiff and hesitant, admitting under cross-examination that some of his claims were inadequately researched.
Our witness Matthew Brittain testified that the most dangerous thing about marijuana was its illegality. He said that although no one has ever died from marijuana, many deaths can be attributed to the prohibition laws, due to gunshot wounds fired when police invade people’s homes. He said that the damage done to individuals and society by the criminalization of marijuana is “so large as to be unquantifiable.”
Dr. Yvonne Conner also testified for us. A calm, confident yet warm presence, she explained that marijuana itself is not carcinogenic, and that in fact recent studies show that marijuana may in fact inhibit cancer growth. She testified that the lethal dosage was so high as to be virtually impossible to attain. She said that she has been reccomending marijuana for five years and that her research and clinical observations led her to the conclusion that marijuana is safe, effective medicine. Asked about the side effect of “a sense of well being,” she explained that this was a great benefit to healing. She said that a patient that feels that they are well will soon become more healthy.
Roger Christie, arriving in court with crutches because of a broken ankle, testified that he had been granted a license to marry people by the State of Hawaii, and that his license said “Cannabis Sacrament Minister.” I also testified briefly, answering questions about the fact that church members so far have already been marijuana users, and about our church’s prepartion for giving first aid to members if anyone ever did have an adverse reaction.
The judge kept us on our toes by repeatedly changing the schedule. At one point, he told witnesses to return at 1:30 and then told the attorneys that court would resume at 2:30!
In the final surprise of the day, the judge asked the lawyers to write more briefs! He will read those, he says, and give his answer on October 6. Is he really so afraid of us that he needs an extra two months?
Onward we go, still fighting for our religious freedom!
One Louve,
Rev. Nancy
July 25th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
The most important thing for us to bring up and not forget is that the bona fide use of cannabis as a sacrament has never been illegal. Cannabis as a sacrament has has been documented for over three thousand years. The controlled substance act is only about the the medical and has nothing to do with the spiritual use of a sacrament.
To make cannabis as a sacrament use totally illegal would put government in violation of its on laws. Government in violation of its on laws ceases to to be just. Bottom line they have to allow the religious use or they are breaking their own laws.
They want us to meet in most cases the Meyers tenants of religion. On our website we have posted our churches response these tenants.
We have to stop arguing the legalities and move on with the truth. The truth is the bona fide use of cannabis as a sacrament is legal.
July 27th, 2009 at 3:13 am
In wyoming all drug and drinking charges get sent to treatment and drug courts first, before any jail time is considered. in 2001 i was charged the fourth simple poss. of cannabis in wyo, and 13 simple poss. in the usa(I am 31 and have been persecuted for my religious beliefs and organic medicine half my life). I was sent to the states main drug court, and was denied entrance and was told i didnt have a drug addiction, the only problem i had was that cannabis was illegal, and it wasnt enough to deter my use.
Right there the head man of the head drug addiction court in wyoming openly told me marijuana wasnt an addiction issue it was an illegality issue(great news right)
No, i was now looking at a 2-4 prison term because of the drug court rejection(3rd simple poss. in wyo. of cannabis is felony enhanced) So i spent the next few months trying to get a rehab facility to accept me for drug addiction, when i had none. Eventualy i got accepted and saved me and my sons life by avoiding a prison sentence.
I spent a year and half in treatment and corrective thinking, i did 2.5 years sober of all drugs even my prescribed pot. I was on five prescribed meds from court and rehab. I became addicted to my prescription pills, and went thru rehab a gain for a few months, when i got out i weened off all my pills and have treated all my ailments(anxiety,depression,chronic pain, inflammation, nausea, and lack of spirituality) with cannabis only and have been of all illegal drugs for four years to date
July 27th, 2009 at 7:22 am
Thanks for sharing your story, Rev. Baker… FYI, I spent eight years in Wyoming and I am very aware of how differently Wyoming views marijuana than many other states in the union. Wacky Tobaccy, as my Wyoming native father, a retired state rep, calls it, is not valued as a cure-all; it’s illegal and even a personal amount could land you in Rawlins…
I checked out your website, and found your graphic compelling enough to want to write a column… “Balance The Budget, Tax Marijuana.” As a civil libertarian, I’m inclined to say the same… What trips me up is what to do about the people who smoke right in front of their children, or give the drug to children. I had a very interesting conversation with a Humboldt County resident recently, who shared with me the downside of relaxed marijuana laws… Kids there come to school with medical marijuana and licenses to prove they can have it… To me, that is over the top and just plain wrong. Why should teachers have to put up with that?… I mean, do you think a 13- or 14-year-old needs medical marijuana… I would be horrified if my 13-year-old were smoking joints… Keep in mind that I would also me horrified if my teen or tween got drunk on Vodka… I want her to be a national spelling bee champion, not the ugly drunk (or stoned girl).
Seems to me like if marijuana was legalized and taxes, it might demystify it for people… I’m inclined to think it wouldn’t be so alluring… But what about teens… Do we make it like cigs and say no one under 18, or do we make it like alcohol and say no one under 21… Or what?
The other day I was driving down the road and I saw a family on their front lawn passing a joint amongst each other… Parents with their teenaged son… My first reaction was, “Gross.”. But then I tried to see the positive… At least they are having family time!
Whatdo you think — should our children be smoking, too? I’m inclined to label people who share marijuana with children or smoke in front of them as trashy…
I’m interested to hear your thoughts…
July 27th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
How do parents interact with their children when it comes to what the children partake of?
Alcohol?
Tobacco?
Marijuana?
Junk food?
Driving fast and/or otherwise illegally?
Shoplifting?
Racism?
Violence?
…?
where does it stop? or start?
July 27th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
I am 21 years old. I have drank Alcohol since I was 18(under cover). Actually my dad allowed me and my friends who were over 18 to drink at our house under his supervision. We couldn’t go out and we all had to sleep over. He allowed me to do this because he didn’t want me out there hiding and getting into trouble. He believed we are adults over 18, but we were caught in that 18-21 gap. Better safe than sorry was his thinking, like he told me, I know you are going to drink anyway, and I just would rather have you guys at home having fun. My mom the teacher really didn’t agree with dad, but she gave in. Today, most of my friends all think my parents were really cool, and actually look to them for advice or help. When it came to drugs, dad gave us all a talk one night, and said that is where he draws the line. No marijuana, no cocaine or any drugs whatsoever was allowed in our house, and that was it. His position is until marijuana is legalized, he is against it. He asked me if I had tried drugs at Manoa, and I told him I tried pot. He didn’t flip, but asked it I still use it, and I told him only at parties once in a while. My position is it is rather harmless compared to Hard drinking. I am of the opinion that we should treat it the same as alcohol, illegal under 18. My dad disagrees, and I asked if he would have done the same thing with my friends if it was made legal for people over 21. Took him a while, but he admitted, if it was legal, then he would have treated us the same with alcohol or pot in that 18-21 gap group. Interesting.
July 28th, 2009 at 2:44 am
While in rehab, me all other na and aa class leaders and every psycologist and pyscotherapists agree no growing or deveoloping child should be on any type of altering chemicals, as any problems with most growing children can correct them selves.
If it is a matter of life and death, i would feel safer if my child could use a natural herb to get better, I in no way shape or form support marijuana consumption for recreation in any one under the driving age. I would say 18 but started using cannabis at 15 for recreation, after a bad stash spent a day in hospital for asthyma attack from pollutants on the herb(not a hipocrite) doctor told me cannabis would help my asthma! I smoked on a daily basis, only good homegrown(no polluted mexican herb) and havent had an emergency visit for asthma in 15 yrs except the three years i was on probation and couldnt use joint every 2-4 hours went back to my inhaler and nebulizer!
So i say if the medical beniefits out way the social and enviromental problems so be it. However my dad grew herb my whole life, my sister is totaly against it, me and my brother both fully support thr ganja. All of of us believe the only part of any childs life cannabis should ever be is a very rarely spiritual ceremony(not my kids) or as true medicine as i know the abilify me and my son have been prescribed to stabalize our moods are now being recalled for stroke in children! And they have no problem giving a kid heroin in surgery or cocaine at the dentist. IF THE BENIEFITS OUT WAY THE CONSEQUENCES GO WITH IT, JUST REMEBER YOU CAN ALTER YOUR CHILDS LIFE AND CHEMISTRY BY INSERTING THE WRONG THINGS AT THE WRONG TIME OR PLACE!
ps my nine year old hates anything that smokes,as he is very very avti cancer, had to get a vaporizer so he doesnt worry about me smoking my medicine.
July 28th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Thank you Nancy! May you know that thousands of Big Island residents are tuning in to see the outcome of your case. Good luck!
August 4th, 2009 at 8:23 am
Here’s my take on the child/adolescent/marijuana question.
1. An end to prohibition would better allow society to control the access youth have to the herb. After all, while marijuana is a black market substance, the neighborhood dealer, who may sell all kinds of black market drugs, is the one in charge of who gets to buy marijuana. Do you think he cards people? Our current system places regulation in the hands of people who are by definition criminals.
2. Religious use is separate. Sacred Truth Mission requires members to be 18 years of age, which we consider to be adulthood. When families attend, the children join in the fellowship but do not partake of sacrament. For me, this has worked out well. Of the four children I gave birth to, two are ministers in the church, one is an abstainer, and one is a near-abstainer who occasionally partakes for ceremonial purposes. None of them have any problems with scheduled drugs, although one does struggle with alcohol.
But there are churches, notably in Jamaica, where children do partake of ganja along with their elders. They are aware of the sacred nature of the herb, and I’m sure that there will be studies on them soon. We had a church visitor from Nepal who loves the smell of ganja because it reminds her of her childhood when her villiage was permeated with the smoke. She participated in temple ceremonies from early childhood and when I met her she was a healthy graduate student, intelligent enough to win a place in a graduate program in the U.S.
3. As a minister, I believe that it is always a bad idea to lie to your children. If you’re doing something that you believe needs to be hidden from them, you should probably ask yourself some hard questions. Not everything needs to be disclosed to a 2-year-old, of course, and we need to teach youth a bit at a time about many things. But if you are a ganja user and you lie about it to your children (when asked), you are practically ensuring that they will lie to you when you ask them!
August 13th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
What kind of minister calls someone up and says If you dont stop selling drugs out of your house Im calling the police? Nancy Harris thats who.
You again verbally attacked me at the meeting of the police commission. I am counting the violations and documenting them so that in due course if and when you attack me again in public or private, verbally or otherwise I will file criminal charges and get an order of restraint on you. You continue to blaspheme Rasta by calling your self Rasta. I say Rasta has nothing to do with you. You are just Fakin the Jamaican! So many true Rastafarian people ask that you stop lifting your self up on Rasta. So you smoke pot. So you got busted. Now you run to put your contempt on Rasta. If the court ask’s me to come in and testify to your claim of Rasta I will gladly do it. You Nancy Harris are not Rasta. The red green and gold has nothing to do with you. Yours is just to reap the karma that you have sown, and to look in the mirror in jail each morning lamenting the sin and pain you have caused others. Grow up Nancy, Start taking responsibility for your own bad behavior. Its time.
Aloha MCB
November 20th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
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