Looking for Minnesota specific answers, if necessary

[wiserleo]

I'm wondering first if the legal basis for the churches is because of the Freedom of Religion Act of 1991 and if there are any precedents that prove that this isn't just another hopeless effort. I've seen lots of claims of these churches over the years and I know they exist in California without recourse but wonder about the rest of the country. The guy with Hawaiian Cannabis Ministries was arrested with his growing operation. Is it just the act of growing/manufacturing that caused this? As I understand it you can't buy or sell it, transport or grow it...is this correct? Basically, I need more proof than an interpretation of the Constitution or someone's feeling that everyone should be able to find "God" however they choose (which could be anything and doesn't help the cause much). Certainly not trying to be negative here, just need a clear path or formula to follow that has modern legal precedent. Thank you and I hope everyone has plenty, though I currently have none.

[Anna]

I don't know where to start.

Doggone it. We're having a tough time with this. We know that it is morally wrong to put peaceful people in jail for practicing their religion, when it harms no one.

Some folks are saying that the courts have no jurisdiction in the matter at all, so don't agree to go into court.

The entire situation is embarrassing, i think. It's almost like we're back in the days when there was a money bounty on Mormons, and it is like the courts are insisting that its still legal and okay to keep putting Mormons in jail and shooting them while they are helpless in their jail cells.

I wish that we were able to just settle back and practice our religion and get on with life. Cannabis Churches have a lot of work to do that is being hampered by the courts' interference.

Really, i don't think that anybody knows what the 'real' situation with the courts is. There are so many variables. Different court districts, state laws vs fed laws, who is in office...who is doling out money in which areas...

We're all wrestling with the same questions.

ECAD

edit: I think that the Supreme Court already warned the lower courts to not mess with the Cannabis Churches, through a leak way back when, when a similar case hit their courtroom. The courts 'know' they'd better not let 'it' get that far (supreme court), again, or the floodgates will be flung open. They would rather get things working through a medical means...and i think that they are finally working on that. That way, the relgious folks will be 'covered' by means of patients and caregivers and the courts will not have to address the religious avenues, which are far 'stickier' for them to travel through than a 'medical program'. If they let the religious bent to address the supreme court, the courts would end up having much less 'control' of the situation. That is just my opinon. Our religious 'freedom' will come through the medical pushers, when it comes. Haoma works in mysterious ways.

[Anna]

Okay, more thought.

From what i understand, Congress passed an act. They wanted NO mj legal EVER. They set up the dea and at its head, is a guy whose job description is to fight legalization to his dying breath, unless congress changes its mind. SO, who does congress say that everyone has to apply to, to study or use the herb? Yes, the dea. So NOBODY gets a 'yes', unless it goes through congress first. As far as i can see, we need to bypass the courts, cuz unless congress gives them the 'go', they won't budge...we need to get congress to come to its senses?

Open to correction and debate!

[mountainmomma]

Anna,

IMHO, the dea is the biggest drug cartel on the planet. Unless the government will make more money with legalization than they are currently making in this trade (and make no mistake, they have a very in depth marketing plan in this trade and we probably would not believe how much money they are making), nothing will change. It was encouraging to me to hear about the guy in CA who owns and operates a mmj clinic, and in one year he paid $300K in state taxes and I think he said between $500 and $600K in federal taxes. That is one person. If the feds and states think that there is money to be made they will fight to get theirs. It is funny that now all of a sudden the feds will not prosecute medical marijuana, and the AMA suddenly changing their position on the medical benefits of the plant, its just more propaganda for our government to make money. It is all about money and power to them. I pray everyday that God fills them with His light, and they understand that we are to love each other.

I say that this plant is the most wonderful gift from God! Most plants need bees to pollinate them, but this wonderful plant is so much more like us, having and needing male and female plants to reproduce. Also our brains naturally produce cannabinoids, so we have biological similarities. There is much more to this I am sure, but in the 70's our government banned all research in the US, so we do not know...yet! I know that it has been proven to stop tumors from growing, and Rick Simpson's patients have very exciting stories to tell of their own healings from this most sacred plant. These are exciting times, and how exciting is it to be alive right now!! I praise God for this seed bearing plant, which God said was for me. Anything can be used for good or bad, we either live in the light or we live in the darkness. In these dark days cannabis has kept my candle lit for all to see, praise God!!!!