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