VIDEO REPORT: Marijuana ministry in Hilo “busted” by feds
July 10, 2010 – Hilo, Hawaii
14 Big Island residents, including the founder of the THC Ministry located on the Hilo Bayfront, were arrested Thursday on federal conspiracy and marijuana manufacturing, possession and distribution charges. All 14 pleaded not guilty in federal court on Friday.
Roger Christie, who sees his organization’s use of marijuana as a sacrament and fundamental human right provided by God, was among those arrested after a grand jury returned a secret indictment last month. Christie and 7 others have been ordered by U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright to remain in custody until next week when the federal court will decide if they may be released on bail.
Also in custody: Sherryanne L. St. Cyr, Richard Bruce Turpen, Wesley Mark Sudbury, Donald James Gibson, John DeBaptist Bouey III, Michael Shapiro, and Aaron George Zeeman.
Susanne Lenore Friend, Timothy M. Mann, Roland Gregory Ignacio, Perry Emilio Policicchio, Victoria C. Fiore, and Jessica R. Walsh, were released on $25,000 unsecured signature bond.
The two-year federal investigation included intercepted telephone converstaions and the seizure of 2,296 marijuana plants, nine weapons, 33 pounds of processed marijuana, more than $21,000 cash and four properties.
Christie has always been open – at least in general terms – about the activity at the THC-Ministry. In March, he spoke with Big Island Video News, after feds raided his home and the ministry. At the time, Christie thought the raid would lead to exoneration and legitimacy for his organization.
At a press conference held Friday in Honolulu, the U.S. Attorney Florence Nakaku joined Drug Enforcemnt Administration agents to give details on the arrests.
Nakaku called Christie’s organization a “large scale business” and said the THC Ministry went through half a pound of marijuana a day and served about 60 to 70 customers a day.
Hawaii state law does allow certified individuals to possess a certain amount of marijuana for medical purposes, but authorities say no law protects those who use marijuana for religious purposes.
“It’s still a violation of the federal controlled-substance act, and is therefore a violation of federal drug laws, which DEA enforces,” said Robin Dinlocker, head of Honolulu’s DEA office.
Trials for the 14 defendants are set for September 8.
The investigation was conducted by a joint team of Drug Enforcement Agency, the Hawaii County Police Department, the National Park Service, the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Postal Inspection Service, and Hawaii High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Marshals Service, the Coast Guard, the State of Hawaii Narcotics Enforcement Division, the State Department of Public Safety and the Hawaii National Guard Counter Drug Unit.
Keoki Kerr and KITV news contributed to this report. Footage also provided by Daryl Lee.
Related Video
facebook comments:
One need not travel to China to find indigenous cultures lacking human rights. America leads the world in percentile behind bars, thanks to the ongoing open season on hippies, commies, and non-whites in the war on drugs. Cops get good performance reviews for shooting fish in a barrel. If we’re all about spreading liberty abroad, then why mix the message at home? Peace on the home front would enhance global credibility.
The drug czar’s Rx for prison fodder costs dearly, as lives are flushed down expensive tubes. My shaman’s second opinion is that psychoactive plants are God’s gift. Behold, it’s all good. When Eve ate the apple, she knew a good apple, and an evil prohibition. Canadian Marc Emery was extradited to prison for helping American farmers reduce U. S. demand for Mexican pot.
The CSA (Controlled Substances Act of 1970) reincarnates Al Capone, endangers homeland security, and throws good money after bad. Fiscal policy burns tax dollars to root out the number-one cash crop in the land, instead of taxing sales. Society rejected the plague of prohibition, but it mutated. Apparently, SWAT teams don’t need no stinking amendment.
Nixon passed the CSA on the false assurance that the Schafer Commission would later justify criminalizing his enemies, but he underestimated Schafer’s integrity. No amendments can assure due process under an anti-science law without due process itself. Psychology hailed the breakthrough potential of LSD, until the CSA shut down research, and pronounced that marijuana has no medical use.
The RFRA (Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993) allows Native American Church members to eat peyote, which functions like LSD. Americans shouldn’t need a specific church membership or an act of Congress to obtain their birthright freedom of religion. God’s children’s free exercise of religious liberty may include entheogen sacraments to mediate communion with Him.
Freedom of speech presupposes freedom of thought. The Constitution doesn’t enumerate any governmental power to embargo diverse states of mind. How and when did government usurp this power to coerce conformity? The Mayflower sailed to escape coerced conformity. Legislators who would limit cognitive liberty lack jurisdiction.
Common-law holds that adults are the legal owners of their own bodies. The Founding Fathers undersigned that the right to the pursuit of happiness is inalienable. Socrates said to know your self. Mortal lawmakers should not presume to thwart the intelligent design that molecular keys unlock spiritual doors. Persons who appreciate their own free choice of path in life should tolerate seekers’ self-exploration. Liberty is prerequisite for tracking drug-use intentions and outcomes.
So much for freedom of religion. The war on drugs is a disgrace to every man and woman who has died fighting to defend the Constitution.
How could it be possible that this much Federal Man Power was wasted Investigating such an insignificant crime?
The investigation was conducted by a joint team of Drug Enforcement Agency, the Hawaii County Police Department, the National Park Service, the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Postal Inspection Service, and Hawaii High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Marshals Service, the Coast Guard, the State of Hawaii Narcotics Enforcement Division, the State Department of Public Safety and the Hawaii National Guard Counter Drug Unit.
Was this such a complex organization that it took this many different departments to produce an crucial evidence?
Why is Marijuana still considered to be the same as Heroine and Crack and Crystal Meth ?
Is it really that important to arrest and incarcerate a hand full of American Citizens for using Marijuana in the privacy of thier own home or place of worship? Does using Marijuana pose a Threat to America?
Isn’t something else we can do with the manpower and money that would be more useful to society?
Why is Marijuana use still a Federal Crime? What purpose does this Law serve?
How disgraceful and irresponsible to mix religion with the use of dope!
Shame on all those who live in denial of what is wrong with smoking marijuana. It’s more than a psychological addiction and the drug rehabs across our country are filled with young adults whose lives have been stunted by the use of this widely accepted drug. It is part of the demise of our country and I am so very sorry there are those who defend it because they use it illegally, grow it, sell it, and/or buy it.
Brain receptors go limp, much like lung’s celia is plastered with tar from cigarettes. The truth is that somewhere along the line marijuana manages to disrupt the bond in families.
I applaud any effort to stop the spread of its usage, and I hope more and more kids are alerted of the dangers of marijuana. Without it, those who get hooked on it, become frustrated, angry, and incapable of being productive.
I hope this progressive invasion finds its way out of this United States of America. We are being attacked from within by the deterioration of good sense and healthy life styles. Even religion has been used to abuse what is truly sacred. Shame on all those on the Big Island who supported the dopes.
Excellent comment Bill Harris , the government has NO SAY in any transaction between me and a plant.
Paul J, you have to understand that this “war on drugs ” is a MAKE WORK program , you listed most of the agencies whose budgets depend on this War on Drugs.This is why the government will not decriminalize Cannabis, too many owe their paychecks to the status quo. I appreciate that everyone needs to make a living , so why can’t we do it like the Indians used to do????COUNT COUP ! Let the feds play their games ,maintain full budgets for the different agencies , make the big bust, have a press conference ,smile for the cameras,except the guy who got caught of course, and then let the guy go….everyone is happy…….
Nicoleta, are you related to Nicotina ? Nicotine is a known carcinogen yet legal for adults and sanctioned by our government , ever hear of anyone busted for using it ?, even underage people who get caught using Nicotine are NOT put in jail, their lives ruined,,,,,,
FYI, Entheogens have been used in religious ceremonies throughout the world, maybe not YOUR religion,check it out. Cannabis is mentioned many times in the Bible, CANNA BOSUM ,check it out.
People who get busted for Cannabis use are FORCED as part of their “punishment” to attend these “re-education” classes,check it out.
Limp Brain cells are responsible for breaking up families , I REALLY DON’T KNOW HOW TO RESPOND TO THAT?????
So you applaud the status quo ,SO you are in favor of criminalizing your fellow citizens based on government programs that are based in LIES,,,,,that’s the American spirit.
“We are being attacked from within by the deterioration of good sense and healthy life styles. ”
YOU ARE RIGHT, we ARE being attacked from within by our own government when they refuse to listen to their OWN research that declares that Cannabis is a fairly benign substance, when OUR government oppresses it’s own citizens through laws that are not based in truth and science YES we are being attacked, and YOU want to continue the madness…….maybe you better go have a talk with YOUR god, or better yet just STFU.
I hope this episode fully clears up the legalities re religous use of marijuanna.
Senator and Physician Josh Green, MD recently concluded a series of interviews with To Find Health in which he comments on tobacco, vog and medical marijuana. The link and high definition video interview is included below. (assuming settings allow for embedding, otherwise just go to ToFindHealth.com )
http://www.tofindhealth.com/forums/showthread.php/226-Senator-Josh-Green-MD-To-Find-Health-s-Interview
There is no honor in this, I stand with Abraham Lincoln “A Prohibition law strikes a blow at the very principles upon which our government was founded.” These people would have been the subject of many questions by our founding fathers who fought to free us from England’s sumptuary laws.
Religion, my a$$. Nearly 2000 plants and lots of cash. Dealers in every sense of the word.
I find it interesting how it seems that the closer the world gets to a final and decisive repeal of cannabis/hemp prohibition, the more our “corporate overlords” who see their future profits at risk, fight against it.
Sure, there are still legions of misinformed people out there, and there are still far too many wilfully ignorant people who REFUSE to look at the truth, in favour of the propaganda they’ve heard their entire lives…but the truth is out there, and more people are finding it every day.
US Patent #6630507 is a US GOVERNMENT PATENT ON CANNABIS. It was filed more than a decade ago, and describes how cannabis can be used as an antioxidant and a neuroprotectant. The mere act of filing this patent proves that the US Government’s case that cannabis has “no accepted medical use” is a bold-faced lie. Every prosecution based on cannabis has thus been a complete fraud for more than a decade, and every person arrested, charged, prosecuted, or even convicted has been attacked by the ultimate global hypocrisy ever not disclosed to the public by the corporate media…or the criminals in positions of power who continue to perpetrate the obvious fraud.
The 40-60% estimates in police, court and prison budgets allocated specifically to cannabis posession and use also signify how much the people can save by doing nothing more the repealing an unjust, unconstitutional and wholly immoral statute, based initially on propaganda, and continued with more lies to back up the original lies, while hiding the truth that has been known for decades by those acting against the interests of the people, and the country itself.
But hey…what do I know…start searching for the truth yourselves, people!
Google “Cannabis cures cancer” and see the amazing amount of scientific studies that you can read for yourselves.
http://JackHerer.com is a good sight to learn about how and why cannabis was REALLY made illegal, and who was behind it then, and today.
http://PhoenixTearsMovie.com shows how Canadian Rick Simpson managed to cure over 1500 people of various medical conditions–including “terminal” lung cancer–with nothing more than an esxtract of a natural plant that we can all grow at home for pennies.
Law Enforcement Against Prohibition was formed by members of the police, courts and prisons who have seen that the foolishness has got to stop first hand. http://LEAP.cc is their web site.
Take a few minutes to look at the facts, people…it’s time to end this idiotic war against human freedom…common sense…medical evidence…rational thought…and a plant.
That’s right, folks…a plant. A safe, non-toxic, non-addictive, natural plant that cures cancer…and YOU aren’t allowed to use it!
Atten: Nicoleta and Puna Observer and all those so easy to judge the real lives of good people being destroyed for this plant….
1. Did you hear about the grandma who makes marijuana brownies for cancer and aids patience and take them to their home, she has been arrested over 80 times and never used it. Have you ever tried to eat and/or cook yourself brownies after chemotherapy?
2. How Dare You tell ANY American how to practice their religion! Native Americans have used Peyote (a very strong hallucinogenic) for spiritual quests for hundreds of years and even still to this day. This freedom haha is given to them by the U.S. Federal Government and it is completely legal for Native Americans to practice taking Peyote as apart of their cultural and religious rights. This religious practice was done long before the settlers (ie: immigrants) trying to escape religious persecution showed up and called them “savages”. The same savage language was used to describe Native Hawaiians because they didn’t wear shoes and other cultural differences.
Why is the federal prohibitionist laws still in place for marijuana, but not alcohol or tobacco which is legal and kills the liver and lungs and destroys in ALL areas of health, life and family? Do you call the grocery store that sells tobacco and alcohol and makes how much $$$$$ profit from it a drug dealer? I speak from personal experience on how alcohol (not just hinders or stunts) but out right obliterates a life and ALL those around them. Legal drugs (don’t forget prescription pills) or not we are responsible for our own actions and self destructive behavior, but I don’t get my life ruined by imprisonment and criminal charges if I go and buy or use as much liquor and cigs as I want. Prohibition didn’t work in the 1930′s or ever and won’t work in 2010. Go Honest Abe!
3. The Hawaii County Police should NOT be spending money on these offenses. The Federal Laws maybe in place but Hawaii County Citizens in an overwhelming vote of 80% deemed marijuana as LOWEST PRIORITY crime and no more erratication or green harvest. You can’t help but notice the shopping list of Government and State agency’s involved in this bust, what did the State gain by this? Think what all those agency workers and expenses added up to in your tax dollars. We probably spent 21,000 a day on making this case YES you and I paid for this. Yes people add it up there is only so much money in the coffers and this HUGE expense, and we haven’t gotten to court costs yet, is part of the reason no income tax return until July, no public transit for Oahu and layoffs and furlow fridays building this case for how long? Meanwhile, Hawaii has the WORST DUI/DWI arrest rate in the entire Nation! This is no surprise to us who live here see all the flowered memorials on the roadside.
signed, prosecution of a plant
So many people have been brainwashed by the self-serving DEA propaganda, that well-meaning people in the community remain hopelessly misinformed, such as Nicoletta and Puna Observer.
The fact of the matter is, cannabis molecules actually PROTECT nerve and brain cells. They PROTECT lung cells. This is a matter of public record.
The scientist who led the DEA’s studies on smoking cannabis for thirty years recently retired, and he said that cannabis should be legalized, as it protects the lungs from cancer.
Did I mention that molecules in cannabis actually KILL cancer cells while protecting healthy cells nearby? Please visit PubMed,a website that contains scientific abstracts published in peer-reviewed journals from around the world. Look up Cannabis and cancer and read the studies yourself.
Cannabis is the safest therapeutic substance on the face of the earth. It is beyond obscene to arrest anyone for using it or selling it, especially when all the legal drugs are so much more dangerous.
The War on Drugs has made a mockery of the Constitution. Over 1,700,000 AMericans are arrested each year for using a plant that never killed anyone.
Legalize cannabis now. We could become the world center for research,and be bringing billions of dollars to our economy.
I don’t blame the cops for doing their jobs, I blame us, all of us, for not getting these bad laws off the books. These laws hurt everyone.
Dude was handing out free pot to minors; the Feds ought to throw away the key!