The Hanger - Rocket Talk

Over five thousand years ago, Moses said to the children of Israel , "Pick up your shovels, mount your asses and camels, and I will lead you to the Promised Land."

Nearly 75 years ago, (when Welfare was introduced) Roosevelt said, "Lay down your shovels, sit on your asses, and light up a Camel, this is the Promised Land."

Today, Obama has stolen your shovel, taxed your asses, raised the price of camels and mortgaged the Promised Land!

I was so depressed last night thinking about Health Care Plans, the economy, the wars, lost jobs, savings, Social Security, retirement funds, etc . . . I called a Suicide Hotline. I had to press 1 for English. I was connected to a call center in Pakistan . I told them I was suicidal. They got excited and asked if I could drive a truck.....
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Okay, that's funny, I don't care who you are.

original source: unknown
forwarded to me

I feel all alone here. And I really need some help. I desperately need some help.

I need a hero.

I am Reverend Brenda Shoop, BSN, RN and my husband and I are cannabis sacrament ministers.

View our Fox 10 News Story

We are recognized ministers of the gospel who have been called forth in the revelatory Word to preach the good news that Jesus is the Anointed with marijuana.

On September 15, 2006, armed officers of the law, based on an “anonymous tip”, invaded our private sanctuary, uprooted and stole our religious sacrament (growing in the ministry’s garden), along with other religious paraphernalia. We were not arrested nor detained at that time.

On November 15, 2006, we were indicted by a grand jury and charged with felony drug trafficking in marijuana, misdemeanor possession of marijuana and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. We continue to assert that we do not understand the nature and cause of these accusations.

View The Indictment

On December 13, 2006, we “turned ourselves in” at the Baldwin County Corrections Center and were each released on $25,000 appearance bond. The electronic monitoring requirement was lifted due to the fact that we were not considered a flight risk by the sheriff or the District Attorney’s office.

The next day, FOX News reporter Adam Walser showed up at our home. He told us that the story would run with or without our input, so we decided to speak to the reporter. Immediately after the story ran on the news, my husband and I both lost our local employment. See News Story

On January 11, 2007, our attorneys of record advised us to sign waivers regarding our arraignments and enter pleas answering as to the charges against us. We were not aware of our rights at that time, and our attorneys did not advise us that we had other rights as specified in Article 1, Section 6 of The Alabama Constitution. In hindsight, this was clearly not in our best interests, as we do not understand the nature and cause of the accusations against us and have been denied the opportunity to ask the District Attorney questions regarding this matter.

See: Plea of Not Guilty and Waiver of Arraignment

On April 24, 2007, my attorney filed a Motion to Dismiss (a motion I wrote) for Violation of Religious Freedom Restoration Act and Alabama Religious Freedom Amendment and Religious Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, noticing the court of my religious beliefs and the nature of my defense.

View the first Motion To Dismiss

I specifically asked my attorney of record if I was free to travel, and he replied that I was. In fact, my pretrial docket call scheduled for June 28, 2007 was rescheduled by my attorney in order to allow me to work in south Florida. He encouraged me to work whenever and wherever I could so that I could pay him his fees.

My case was originally set in front of Judge Reid, the presiding judge, and was transferred into Judge Wilters’ courtroom (drug court) between August 30 and September 18, 2007. I continue to assert that my case is not a drug case. My case is a religious freedom case involving constitutional issues.

On October 16, 2007, I filed an Affidavit of Prejudice regarding Judge Robert E. Wilters. This affidavit was based on what I had been told about Judge Wilters from officers of the court, along with published articles; Judge Wilters is notorious for imposing Draconian sentences for drug offenders. I truly believed that I would not get fair and impartial treatment in Judge Wilters’ courtroom. I filed the affidavit expecting Judge Wilters to recuse himself, and expecting the DA’s office to schedule a meeting to discuss an alternate judge.

View the Affidavit of Prejudice for Judge Wilters

Instead, on October 18, 2007, during a pre-trial docket call (with motions still outstanding), Judge Wilters allowed my attorney to quit without cause after I paid the attorney $2,500. This was obviously in retaliation for filing the Affidavit of Prejudice. I was scheduled for trial in 11 days, October 29, 2007, without my outstanding motions being scheduled for hearing. Judge Wilters ordered me back into court on October 29th to answer as to the question of counsel.

On October 19, 2007, my husband and I mailed and hand delivered a letter to the presiding judge, Judge Reid, informing him that we felt that we were being denied due process of law, and asserting that we firmly believed that we would be unable to receive a fair and impartial trial with Judge Wilters presiding. Judge Reid refused to speak to us, and his secretary told us that he said that there was nothing he could do to remedy the situation.

On October 24, 2007, due to the fact that Judge Wilters had not recused himself, and allowed our paid attorneys to quit our cases without cause, my husband and I filed a Motion to schedule an ex parte hearing pursuant to Alabama Constitution Section 160, and asked the presiding judge to issue an order to the district attorney to meet for the purposes of mutual agreement for a competent judge to be assigned to our cases. We also filed for a continuance until after such meeting could be arranged. This motion has also never been heard or ruled on.

On October 29, 2007 I filed an Affidavit by a Professional Registered Nurse in Relation to the Failure of the Alabama Bar Association to Provide Effectual Counsel in Drug Related Actions by the State.

View The Affidavit Here

On October 29, 2007, due to a family emergency requiring our presence out of the state, we sent our Bishop, the Right Reverend Gregory Karl Davis, to speak for us and answer the court as to counsel with signed and notarized filings. At that time, Bishop Davis testified on the record as to our status’ as ministesr of the gospel and delivered to the Assistant District Attorney the Doctrine of the Revelatory Word and his Public Notice of Clergy.

View this document here

On that day, I was ordered by Judge Wilters, through my Bishop, to appear in his courtroom within 48 hours or risk bond revocation.

On October 31, 2007, I appeared in Judge Wilters’ courtroom without counsel and my bond was not revoked, but amended by adding the color-coded drug screening, and by ordering me to stay in Alabama while my husband was allowed to return to the ailing family member in our charge in Florida. I objected to this on the record, stating that these conditions were against the mandates of my religion, and signed the Drug Testing Form under duress.

In order to comply with the mandates of my religion, I was ordered by my Bishop not to comply with these orders of the court. I filed an immediate appeal, but it was dismissed because my bond wasn’t revoked; it was only amended.

On December 11, 2007 the Assistant DA filed State’s Response to Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss for Violation of RFRA, etc.

View the State's response here

I filed my reply to this on January 10, 2008.

View my reply to State's response here

On January 10, 2008, I appeared in Judge Wilters’ courtroom, without counsel, for a scheduled date to hear “all outstanding motions.”

The only motion that was heard that day was the Assistant District Attorney’s motion to revoke my bond. I was forced, against objections, to submit to a urine drug screen or face 5 days in jail for contempt of court. My Bishop was in court with me to testify as to the orders of the Church, but he was not allowed the opportunity to testify on my behalf.

I informed Judge Wilters that I needed time to make a decision, and he appointed a “temporary” public defender who happened to be nearby in the courtroom. This attorney, John Gamble, stated to me that he was not familiar with constitutional law. He stated that he did not do well in that class in law school.

The public defender advised me to submit to the test. Attorney Donald Bolton told my husband and I, while we were interviewing attorneys, that we could both “look forward to getting raped in jail,” and because of this, I was afraid of going to jail. I agreed to submit to the test. The public defender was then dismissed by Judge Wilters. Christine Welch from the Baldwin County Court Referral Office administered the test and reported that it was positive for marijuana. Judge Wilters immediately revoked my bond; I was placed under arrest and led off to jail in handcuffs.

I was incarcerated in the Baldwin County Corrections Center from January 10 until February 1, 2008. I was kept in a cellblock with no heat, forced to put poison on my head, denied any contact with my husband, denied a religious diet, denied a Bible, and forced to give my blood or be put into isolation.

On January 31, 2008, I was brought into Judge Wilters’ courtroom with my new court-appointed attorney for a bond hearing so that I could be released from incarceration. At that time, the DA tried to use intercepted email communications between other people discussing my situation to deny my release from incarceration. In spite of this, my bond was set at $50,000, secured with my mother’s home. I was placed on the color-coded drug testing program, and I was put under house arrest.

I cannot practice my religion under threat of incarceration. I also cannot leave my home to go to work, buy groceries, or attend church services without the same threat of incarceration. The conditions state that I am only allowed to go to court, appointments with my attorney, and the drug testing center.

I continue to assert that these conditions of bond substantially burden the sincere practice of my religion. My court-appointed attorney has refused to appeal these conditions. On April 3, 2008, I was notified by my attorney that the DA had filed another motion to revoke my bond and issue a writ of arrest, based upon a positive drug screen from March 25th and failure to pay drug screening fees to the Court Referral Office. ($80)

On April 11, 2008, I filed into the record an affidavit of facts regarding the qualifications of my expert witness, my Bishop. My appointed attorney tried to block me from filing this, stating that my Bishop would only be certified as a “custodian of the record” and not “clergy.” My Bishop is not allowed to testify under those conditions. And he is my KEY witness, testifying to the doctrine of the Universal Orthodox Church, of which he is the founding Bishop. This testimony is crucial to my defense. After trying to obtain advice on this, with no results, I decided to file it into the record myself (before my impending docket call on April 14th). I felt compelled to get these documents into the record while I still could. In fact, after entering this document into the record, I felt a tremendous weight lift from my shoulders.

http://www.brothersformercy.org/knhtreatise.pdf

Exhibits attached

http://www.brothersformercy.org/A.pdf

http://www.brothersformercy.org/C.pdf

http://www.brothersformercy.org/D.pdf

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjhT9282-Tw

http://www.brothersformercy.org/F.pdf

http://www.brothersformercy.org/G.pdf

I attended a pretrial docket call on Monday April 14, 2008 expecting to be put back into jail on that day. After arriving at the courtroom, my attorney served me with a motion to withdraw as counsel. He stated in his motion that I continue to file papers pro se, against advice of counsel, and we cannot have a functional relationship because of this. He also stated that he was afraid of a post-conviction lawsuit claiming ineffectual of counsel. My attorney obviously believes that I will be convicted of all charges.

On this day, the judge was not present in the courtroom; his secretary was handling the scheduling of trials for the next session. The DA’s motion to revoke my bond was not mentioned. Also, my attorney’s motion to withdraw was not recognized and he was ordered to appear with me on April 22, 2008 for our motions hearing.

My attorney also stated that the DA will most likely move to strike the documents containing my Bishop’s qualifications as an expert witness.

As stated above, the last time I was in court for a motion hearing, on January 10, 2008, the only motion heard was the DA’s motion to revoke my bond, and I was incarcerated. If history repeats itself, I expect to find myself in jail until the next trial session in August, without any of my motions being heard.

I have been continuously blocked from defending myself against these clearly unconstitutional actions of the state. I continue to assert that the use and cultivation of marijuana is mandated by my religion, and so protected by the First Amendment, the Alabama Religious Freedom Amendment, and the Federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act. My current bond conditions are also unconstitutional under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act.

This drama has been going on since September 15, 2006. Since that time, even though I have not been convicted of any crime, I have lost my job; my nursing license is under investigation; my body has been illegally searched (pee testing); I have been incarcerated and separated from my husband; I have been put under house arrest; I have been prevented from defending myself; I have been treated like a drug addict and criminal; and I have lost hope that the right and lawful actions will occur in my case.

I have lost all faith in the legal system and I have no one with whom I can place my trust.

If you are unable to help me, please forward my information to someone who you believe is able and willing.

And just in case I get placed back into custody on April 22, my address will be

Brenda Williams 86972
200 Hand Ave
Bay Minette, AL 36507

If I am not incarcerated on April 22, you can email me at Brenda@GreenEarthMinistries.org or call me at 251-753-8612.

THANK YOU AND BLESS YOU!

Religious freedom was the basis for the founding of our country, and it makes me sad that even here in the so-called Bible Belt, religious tolerance is severely lacking. No one was harmed due to plants growing in a garden. No one in the surrounding community knew who we were until the news cameras showed up.

The funny thing is…..if we bought our sacrament from the black market instead of growing it ourselves, no one would have EVER known we were here. But because we desired purity of our sacrament, we are each facing 10 years in prison and the rest of our lives as convicted felons. Neither one of us has ever been arrested before. I don’t understand why we are being treated so badly.

PLEASE HELP!!!

Thank you,

Brenda Shoop
Green Earth Ministries

Reverends Bruce and Brenda Shoop from the Green Earth Ministries reveal a powerful story about an intelligent man who put two and two together and realized that the only way to prove you believe in something is to just DO IT! And that's exactly what he did.

He CURED CANCER! You know, the "big C!"

Rick Simpson used good logical sense combined with known scientific studies and deduced that cannabis or marijuana as many people call it heals people. YEP...go figure? Tree of Life? Maybe? Alright, enough of my sarchasism. God IS Good!

Check out this series of videos by Rick Simpson. They are very well produced and the testimonies of the healing effects of pure TCH oil on people within his own community is riviting. It's a must see. Then read the article about the outcome of his case!

RUN FROM THE CURE - THE RICK SIMPSON STORY

You wondered before...you KNOW the THUTH now! The winds of change are here.

The other day while in court I remember the judge saying to me, "your not going to like this" as he was getting ready to hand down the next chapter of this really crazy reality called the War on Drugs to my wife and I.

That's not the kind of thing you really want to hear come out of your judges mouth knowing full well that this guy is already pissed off at you for pointing out his clearly recognized prejudice against people who are involved with drugs of any kind.

We recently met an ex-cop whose conscience finally got the better of him. His name is Barry Cooper and he is speaking out against the War on Drugs, knowing first hand that it IS a crime against humanity.

Check out Barry's new video Never Get Busted Again by visiting his website at NeverGetBusted.com

I know full well that our judge is not going to like this, but I really couldn't sleep at night knowing that I could help just one person avoid the tragedy of becoming a victim in this unnecessary war.

So here it is:

This DVD is truly a one-of-a-kind, never before seen, information packed tool which can help you save thousands in legal fees and stay out of jail!

Features of this 90 minute DVD include:
Watch Real Footage of Barry Making Marijuana Arrests, Learn Secret Drug Enforcement Tactics, Avoid Narcotics Profiling, Where Not to Hide Your Stash (Do Coffee Grounds Really Work?), How Police Cause Drug Dogs to False Alert, Search & Seizure Law Made Easy, How Police Can Tell When You’re Lying, 90 Minutes of One-On-One Training.

It's Only $19.95 and well worth the investment. A generous portion of the proceeds goes to helping end prohibition and the insane war on drugs. Order yours today.

Rocket Johnson reporting
Over and Out!

Cannabis is a sacrament that was given to us by God!

Source: White House News, January 11, 2007

On Religious Freedom Day, we commemorate the passage of the 1786 Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, authored by Thomas Jefferson, and we celebrate the First Amendment's protection of religious freedom.

Across the centuries, people have come to America seeking to worship the Almighty freely. Today, our citizens profess many different faiths, and we welcome every religion. Yet people in many countries live without the freedom to worship as they choose and some face persecution for their beliefs. My Administration is working with our friends and allies around the globe to advance common values and spread the blessings of liberty to every corner of the world. Freedom is a gift from the Almighty, written in the heart and soul of every man, woman, and child, and we must continue to promote the importance of religious freedom at home and abroad.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 16, 2007, as Religious Freedom Day. I call on all Americans to reflect on the great blessing of religious liberty, endeavor to preserve this freedom for future generations, and commemorate this day with appropriate events and activities in their schools, places of worship, neighborhoods, and homes.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eleventh day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand seven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-first.

GEORGE W. BUSH

# # #

Link to Thomas Jefferson's The Virginia Act for Establishing Religious Freedom

Visit www.GreenEarthMinistries.org and learn some truths from two true patriots who are standing strong and excercising their constitutional right to freedom of religion by standing up for the terrible injustice of the War on Drugs and economic disaster of Marijuana/Hemp prohibition in the United States and abroad.

Rocket Johnson reporting for the Global Webisphere

I want to share a recent letter we received from our good friend and faithful crusader of our God given human and civil rights, Reverend Roger Christie...

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Hello Bruce and Brenda,

Aloha. Nice going! Those quotes make me feel good and, in my opinion, can only help your situation.

And that plant of yours! It's an "urban legend", or it will be with a little promotion and photoshopping. :-} I can 'see' it now!

Also, former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis Brande is said back in the 1930's (I think) that the mosttreasured right in the USA is 'the right to be left alone'. Simple as that. Let's bring that thinking back in favor.

If they were the most determining factor of your - and everyone's - prosecution we could, you could, win your case and get-on with building the glorious, legal Cannabis future. Here's where it gets really interesting to me:

In my understanding of metaphysics, the winning factor above them all is 'mana'; your inner spiritual strength (sincerity and certainty) and vision + manners, your respect and forgiveness for all concerned. The legal stuff comes second to the spirituality, or "the context is more valuable than the content".

It's about going from victim to victory! From the inside - out. See Revelations 22:14.

Do you have knowledge of the value of laws (like Cannabis prohibition) that go against the Constitution? They are null and void according to famous Supeme Court decisions and other legal precedents.

"All laws which are repugnant to the Constitution are
null and void." Marbury vs. Madison 1803.

"No one is bound to obey an un-Constitutional law and no courts are bound to enforce it." 16 American Jurisprudence 2d. Sec. 177.

I love that stuff! I hope it helps you to build your
mana even more then it already is, and to simplify your legal position effectively.

It seems to me that your higher selves (through the giant plant!) brought this case to you as a great gift to open your new Ministry with. You are 'building your church upon the stone the builders rejected'.

Hallelu-Jah!

All the very best to you and yours,

Roger

THC Ministry
"We use Cannabis religiously and you can, too."
www.thc-ministry.org

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Rocket Johnson reporting from PlanetWebSite

The War on Drugs is a War on our own loved ones!... What good could come of that?

The Religious Freedom Rights of Pastor Rev. Craig X Rubin is being trampled on ...a Messanic Jew, who believes Jesus the Christ is the Messiah, he is a Christian Cannabis Sacrament Minister who burns Cannabis as a sacred incense in Prayer and Supplication in the Name of the Lord Jesus... Cannabis... known as Kaneh Bosem in Hebrew Text and interpreted in our bible as Sweet Cane ...Fragrant Cane an illegal controlled substance according to the D.E.A. but a herbal plant created by God according to scriptures.

This Brother has seven children and a pregnant wife he has a Church in LA on Hollywood Blvd. called the Temple 420 . Yes folks 420 is mentioned in the bible...don't you recall the 4 and 20 elders...

this man is being denied his constitutional rights to practice his faith...his church and church donations were taken from him and his church doors were beated in by state and FBI agents as they held a guns to his head in the middle of raid on his church during service ...he is being denied the freedom to practice his religion in this country and he is being denied by LA superior Court Judge Mary H. Strobel the Right to claim the Federal Religious Freedom Rights Act as a means of his defense. Brother Craig X Rubin desires our Prayers and support...

Please write and file a complaint against this Judge Mary H. Strobel whodenied him his const itutional right .... send your complaint to the First Freedom Project committee..at

FirstFreedom@usdoj.gov

You may also write the Judge Strobel at mstrobel@lasuperiorcourt.org and tell her how you feel about this ruling she is planning to take Brother Rubin away from his pregnant wife and 7 Children for nearly 5 years...please help him now by writing this Judge and tell her to let Brother Craig X Rubin go!!!

A Word from Brother Craig X to the Churches in America

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. - "I live in the City of Angels where the Mayor cheats on his wife, the City Attorney cheats the tax payers and I teach the Word of God and the love of Jesus and I am being sent to prison for several years," says Rev. Craig X Rubin. I love my country, but I love God more and I must teach the Truth that Jesus proclaimed a Kingdom not a religion. The Truth is that Jesus is Messiah. He was born of a virgin and rose from the dead. The Law and the prophets spoke the Word of God and all the prophecies of the Bible will come to pass and that is all that our temple taught.

"My name is Rev. Craig X Rubin. I was ordained by the Universal Life Church 17 years ago. A church that will ordain anyone for free, not for a fee as the AP (Associated Press) is reporting. Everyone, the prosecutors and press, seem to be making a big deal out of the fact that anyone can become ordained to marry people in the name of God by this church. I love God; always have and always will. As far as I am concerned I don't need to be ordained by anyone to teach the Word of God. His Law is written in my heart and I have not broken it. Abraham Lincoln was a self-taught lawyer and no one would say he was a bad lawyer. My great-grandfather was a rabbi who founded the first temple in Toronto. It is in my blood to teach God's Word, so it should not be important which church ordained me.

"I don't feel one ounce of remorse for the crime I am about to go to jail for. In fact, I continued to commit my supposed crime for 9 months after my arrest and no person's health or safety in the State of California was compromised. My only crime is wanting to reach people of my community, stoners (the 420 Nation) with the Word of God. I never talked anyone into smoking pot. I taught them that God created this wonderful plant and that they should study the Word of God as known through the Bible to know the will of God. I am now going to be taken from our society and my seven children, all of whom live at home, for many years for my faith that cannabis is the Tree of Life. My wife and I had no presumption of innocence as this country proclaims. We had our life savings seized and lost our house all because we started a church.

"This is my warning to fellow Christians in America. If you didn't stand up for my church when they came in with shotguns and kicked down my church doors, when they took the names of my church members and kept them from us, took our U.S. federal mail, seized my wife's and my life's savings without a conviction of any kind (and we have no criminal record) then I ask you...who will stand up for your church when the federal government comes marching in because you are teaching that God created all the plants on the third day; Or when you teach the Book of Revelation... who will stand up for you? I never changed one word from the Book of Revelation and now I am going to be spending years in jail for my faith that the Book is inspired by Jesus Christ.

"In my case the judge ruled that I was not allowed to mention the federal law or the Constitution to the jury because it might confuse them. I was not allowed to give the jury a copy of the Bible. They might actually think we had rights in this country. The prosecutor, Bob Chen, even objected when I told the jury that inalienable rights were not given to us by the government, but they came from God. I am a Jew who came to know that Jesus was the Messiah, but I am still a Jew. I can no longer make Aliyah, the Jewish right of return, to Israel a land I have prayed for my whole life. It was my prayer and still is that one day I'll live there near Jerusalem and I will be able to visit the Holy City often. Currently, the country of Israel won't accept me anymore because I am a Jew who puts faith in the fact that Jesus was the Messiah. The funny thing is I feel more Jewish than ever now that I believe in Jesus and I know the Law and the prophets more intimately.

"My only request of my fellow followers of Christ is that you pray for my children during this hour of struggle for my family. Lastly, since this will be my last comment for a while is that you recognize I didn't go fishing for Christians in an aquarium when I started my church. I went to Hollywood - a city with more sin than Las Vegas. I reached the homeless, people in the business of pornography, prostitution; I didn't try and steal Christians from other people's churches. I went to people who didn't have God in their lives and I taught them the Bible, the Word of God, according to my mission and because I was successful at it I am now going to jail."

May God Bless Brother Craig X Rubin and his family. I Pray for their peace and comfort during these trying times! Your faith and commitment to the truth will not go in vain!

Revs. Bruce & Brenda Shoop

Visit The Green Earth Ministries

Exerpt from High Times (Published 7/6/07) by Jon Gettman

Marijuana and Religion

Is the religious use of marijuana protected by the U.S. Constitution? The Ethiopian Coptic Church believes it is, and this important question is the subject of a lawsuit recently filed in Federal Court by Carl Olsen.

The Supreme Court has previously recognized the legitimate use of other drugs for religious purposes. The use of mescaline in Native American religious rituals is the most notable and well-known example of a religious exemption for otherwise illegal drug use. In 2006 the Supreme Court also recognized a legal justification for the use of the entheogen ayahuasca.

In 1993 the United States Congress passed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), which states that the “Government shall not substantially burden a person's exercise of religion without compelling justification.” In 2000 Congress passed the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA), which established a general rule that “no government shall impose a substantial burden on the religious exercise of a person residing in or confined to an institution.”

According to Olsen these statutory rules have great relevance to the subject of the religious use of marijuana. “Broad construction of the RLUIPA means that any deprivation of liberty by a state law enforcement agency would...

Read the rest

Source: Jon Gettman is a long time contributor to HIGH TIMES. A former National Director of NORML, Jon has a Ph.D. in public policy and regional economic development and consults with attorneys, advocates, and non-profits on cannabis related research and public policy issues. On October 8, 2002, along with a coalition of organizations, he filed a new petition to have cannabis rescheduled under federal law.

Originally Published: 17 Mar 2007

MEDICAL MARIJUANA: GOVERNOR CALLS BILL 'RIGHT THING TO DO'
by Deborah Baker | The Associated Press, New Mexican

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Democratic Gov. Bill Richardson, poised to sign a bill making New Mexico the 12th state to legalize medical marijuana, said Thursday that he realizes his action could become an issue in the presidential race.

"So what if it's risky? It's the right thing to do," said Richardson, one of the candidates in the crowded 2008 field. "What we're talking about is 160 people in deep pain. It only affects them."

The legislation would create a program under which some patients -- with a doctor's recommendation -- could use marijuana provided by the state Health Department. Lawmakers approved the bill Wednesday. The governor is expected to sign it in the next few weeks.

Richardson has supported the proposal since he first ran in 2002. But he pushed especially hard for it this year, leaning on some Democrats to change their votes after the bill initially failed.

"Give him credit. It's not something you do because you're going to garner great political support for it. It is a bit controversial," said Thomas Mann, a political analyst at the Brookings Institution in Washington. By the same token, Mann says, it is not likely to hurt him in the Democratic contests.

"If he were to surprise us all and actually win the Democratic nomination, he's got an interesting mix of positions" that would not be undercut by his support of medical marijuana, Mann said.

"It's an interesting risk," added Lonna Atkeson, professor of political science at The University of New Mexico. "I'm somewhat surprised because I think he's sort of cautious, usually."

A majority of the states that have legalized medical marijuana are in the West, and Atkeson suggested his position could play well in the region. But it could also give Richardson's rivals a potential issue to focus on.

Drug Policy Alliance New Mexico said Richardson will be the first presidential candidate ever to advocate medical marijuana "by vocally supporting and signing legislation."

In signing the measure, Richardson "will be sending a strong message that states can and should exercise their right to do what is in the best interest of their citizens free from intrusion from the Federal government," said Reena Szczepanski of the advocacy group.

Richardson said he has been asked about the issue by only a few voters while campaigning in Iowa. He said the White House had urged him not to sign the bill.

"I don't see it as being a big issue," he said. "This is for medicinal purpose, for ... people that are suffering. My God, let's be reasonable."

The federal government declares marijuana an illegal controlled substance with no medical value.

A federal appeals court in San Francisco ruled Wednesday that a woman whose doctor says marijuana is the only medicine keeping her alive can face federal prosecution on drug charges.

The Supreme Court ruled against the woman two years ago, saying medical marijuana users and their suppliers could be prosecuted for breaching federal drug laws even if they lived in a state such as California where medical pot is legal.
----- end of article ------

This is important legislation and a necessary step in the right direction towards ending the ridiculous prohibition that is going on here in our beautiful 'Land Of The Free'... please pass this information on, and keep checking back for the latest developments surrounding the 'War On Drugs'

Visit www.GreenEarthMinistries.Org (The Green Earth Ministries) for in-depth information about the powerful and remarkable history of cannabis (marijuana)and the amzing propaganda that surrounds this healing medicinal herb. Another great resource for this and all substances being 'prohibited' by our great country visit www.DrugPolicy.Org (The Drug Policy Alliance)

Rocket Johnson reporting...
Over & Out

I just had to re-post an entertaining comment I found while reading a story in The Arizona Daily Star regarding a recent ruling against the founders of a Southeastern Arizona Church that was seeking a dismissal of criminal charges for possession of over 100 pounds of marijuana.

This story is certainly a controversial one as the defendants are really just looking for a peaceful way to enjoy what our creator has provided naturally for us. The unfortunate situation here is that there are other compelling circumstances surrounding this couple's religous defense argument and the courts are not convinced of the sincerity of Dan and Mary Quaintance's Church of Cognizance founded in Pima, Ariz., in 1991.

The original article can be viewed here: http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/related/162069.php

Here is the best part of this unfortunate story. I just love a person who has a good sense of humor, and the ability to look beyond the "bureaucratic" load of crap that is constantly spewing forth from our greedy closeminded top officials running our "Good Ol'e Land of the 'Not So' Free Anymore"

Here it is in it's entirety...Thanks for the thoughts Harry D, your right on buddy!

Comment by Harry D. (Dog Dude (Blue heeler)) — December 27,2006 @ 4:01AM - Rating: 32 Thumbs Up

"The Quaintances face up to 40 years each in prison if they are convicted as charged.

So where is the victim in this heinous crime? It must be heinous to bring a 40 year sentence, cold blooded murderers don't get time like that. Child molesters can get a 10th of that for destroying a child's life.

You all sound so righteously ready to chop off their heads, or at least keep them behind bars for the rest of their lives because they had a plant that grows native in most States?

Or is it because they believe this plant is a gift from God? is that their heinous crime worth life in prison?

Did they smuggle it from Mexico? Now that would be a crime, but no hint that that's the case. Are they marring 12 year old girls? Having sex with snakes? Praying to a flower tortilla that has a burned spot that looks like Jesus? Do they hold pagan rituals on Midwinter's Night featuring naked teen sacrifices?

Oh horror of horror they smoke the evil weed, no not tobacco silly, weed, you know marijuana.. you know the evil stuff that is in the real world impossible to Over Dose to death on. The stuff adults act as if it's destroying the very fabric of society while they sneak off where the kids can't see them and smoke it, the kids on the other hand, unknown to the parents, 1st tried it in grade school and can get it cheaper them mom and dad can, and better crap.

Of course the kids see all this War on Drugs nonsense for what it is, hypocritical nonsense the same as you saw that back in your teens. Nothing has changed, we are still generations later sending people to prison for a plant that does far less harm then any alcohol drink, save none.

How many child molesters, bank robbers and violent gang members will be let out of prison so this couple can spend their 40 years for daring to believe in God and her gifts?

And we think Muslims are backward and brutal..."

I couldn't have said it better Harry!

For a more in depth look at the incredible injustices that have been plaquing our country for over thirty years now, visit the Green Earth Ministries and get the facts. The government has been lying to us for many many years now. Who should you trust in... God or Government?

This is Rocket Johnson reporting for PlanetWebSite and The Global Webisphere.

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