Colorado Man arrested for Marijuana as Holy Sacrament

[BigBudBill]

I really hope this guy wins. I have read about the holy oil and it is a very intriguing idea.

Every religion has sacred materials that make up many of their rituals, but one churches use of marijuana had a Colorado man before a judge Monday.

Jason Wimler had pulled over to fix a broken windshield wiper on I-25 on December 22, 2009. He and his girlfriend were on their way to her parents home for a Christmas celebration. When a state trooper, who pulled over to see if he needed assistance, smelled fresh marijuana coming from the car they searched the vehicle. They found less than an ounce of the controlled substance.

Wimler, 22, is an ordained minister for The Hawaii Cannabis Ministry, and told the trooper the marijuana was a religious sacrament to be used during the Christmas holiday. He was cited for possession and sent on his way.

Monday, Wimler, his girlfriend, attorney, and two representatives of THC Ministry were back in Pueblo for a final court hearing prior to his trial. His attorney out of Denver, Danyel Joffe, has taken his case pro bono because it touches on a subject she feels strongly about. The freedom to practice religion without discrimination.

Joffe says, the state allows for peyote to be used as part of religious rituals and that cannabis should be afforded the same exception.
The Hawaii Cannabis Ministry founder Roger Christie attended the hearing, and explained one way in which the controlled substance is used during church services. The cannabis is added as an ingredient in a topical oil used to anoint parishioners. "We think it's the old testament recipe that God gave to Moses, and that it was to be used throughout all the generations.

http://www.kktv.com/home/headlines/97362924.html

 

[Hmmm512]

Wow. I am pretty sure that this guy will walk away from this one free and clear. Seems pretty cut and dry and a waste of the tax payers money.

 

[GrinStick]

WOW! a sacrement that has an immediate effect, other than guilting you into submssion. small wonder that the churches are rallying to fight marijuana, they have competition.

 

[nomaad]

The whole god gave it to Moses thing is just another religious fantasy. and religious fantasies are, in my opinion, dangerous. When one man's imaginary prophet has a direct line to god, its way too easy to justify the opinion that another man's prophet is false. Then people start to die. I say we just give up the religious fantasies. And the alien abduction fantasies too while we are at it. Same difference, far as I'm concerned.

Now, spiritual realities?... that's another thing entirely...and a conversation I will not, for previously explained reasons, get into.

I guess if somebody's religious delusions can get em off a pot charge, its a net gain for society... but I can't get too excited about any religion, even if they smoke dope or anoint themselves with ganja butter as a sacrament.

 

[treewizard]

Its not a question of whether religion is a good thing or not. Its about whether our first amendment rights still mean anything or not. I don't care for orthodox religion, but that doesn't change a thing. So long as religions are still practiced, it would be silly to act like Cannabis has never been part of any of them. Personally I feel like its as good of a reason to burn as any. There isn't anything directly banning herb in the Bible and it would seem that the opposite is true. This guy does have a theistic leg to stand on and I hope that he wins.

 

[Anti]

Either all people's religious beliefs ought to be respected - even the ones that disagree with yours - or nobody's should.

Some people like to believe that when a guy in a dress with a funny hat on waves his magic wand and chants a magical spell that the crackers and burgundy wine on the sacrificial altar become God Incarnate!

(Seems pretty silly to me, but I suppose that if these people have the right to religious protection for their beliefs, that other guys with equally unprovable beliefs ought to be granted the same concessions.)

At least in a free society.

 

[SamarianFarmer]

An the trooper calls himself a Christian!! The main catholic crowd don't even read the f in Bible!

 

[NUG-JUG]

This discriminates against non-religious smokers like myself. I'm atheist, it isn't a religion, but an Anti-Theism (against religion). So I can't justify smoking my medicine unless I prescribe to believing in magic helpers??

 

[BigBudBill]

I don't think he is using it as medicine. He is using according to his religion. If your religion doesn't practice this, but yet you desire to use it this way, you might want to rethink the religion you choose to practice and find one that is in line with what you believe. Or move to California and vote yes on Prop19. Then you dont need any justification. But please do not try to confuse his issue with your need to "justify smoking my medicine". 2 Totally different reasons for cannabis consumption.
If your medicine helps you I don't think you need to worry about having a "magic helper". You have a real helper.

 

[midnightmoses]

I support Roger Christie and his ministry.Roger has always been very upfront about his movement in Hawaii and other states.

 

[areUkind]

"We think it's the old testament recipe that God gave to Moses, and that it was to be used throughout all the generations. "


..........that's hilarious! hopefully he's not wasting his effort and time fighting this one. i mean its what a
$250 oz and a $100 ticket vs his time and other money. id pay the fine and try to do my best to avoid pueblo

 

[Anti]

"We think it's the old testament recipe that God gave to Moses, and that it was to be used throughout all the generations. "


..........that's hilarious! hopefully he's not wasting his effort and time fighting this one. i mean its what a
$250 oz and a $100 ticket vs his time and other money. id pay the fine and try to do my best to avoid pueblo

There is some evidence that early worshippers mixed cannabis with their incense and smoked out entire temples.

 

[festivus]

It's just being reported that Roger Christie and 12 others have been arrested on Federal charges. They have been flown to Honolulu by the Coast Guard. I posted an article from the Hawaii Tribune Herald, and should be available shortly.

The March raid on his ministry was right after he testified on behalf of a fellow member. This certainly looks like more of the same.

This is sad news indeed. Roger is a remarkable person with a huge heart, who always looks for the blessing in every adversity.