Pubdate: Thu, 28 Sep 2000
Source: Eugene Weekly (OR)
Copyright: Eugene Weekly 2000.
Contact:  http://www.eugeneweekly.com/

FREEDOM TO TOKE

For more than a week now, a growing number of cannabis activists have 
been testing their First Amendment right to " freedom of religion" on 
the steps of Eugene's County Courthouse by holding a prayer circle and 
passing a "peace pipe." They say they believe it their personal, 
religious choice to smoke marijuana and that their right to do so is 
guaranteed by the Constitution.  

Every day at 4:20 pm they have been gathering to pray for an "end to 
the drug war" and "the criminalization of a plant." On Thursday and 
Friday the EPD intervened and several who participated in the ceremony 
were ticketed for possession of less than an ounce of marijuana or 
"being in an area where controlled substances are known."  

In response to police intervention, some of the participants have
begun a 24 hour vigil at the courthouse. "We're here because it's our
religion and it's our right," says Michael Anthony, long time cannabis
proponent and religious leader, "and we will remain until this system
repents for its crimes against the people."
- ---
MAP posted-by: John Chase