HTTP/1.0 200 OK Content-Type: text/html Man Convicted For Possession Of Marijuana 'Sacrament'
Pubdate: Tue, 09 Mar 2010
Source: Denver Post (CO)
Copyright: 2010 The Denver Post Corp
Contact:  http://www.denverpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122
Webpage: http://www.denverpost.com/ci_14642163
Author: The Associated Press

MAN CONVICTED FOR POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA "SACRAMENT"

GEORGETOWN - Trevor Douglas, a man claiming marijuana is the main 
sacrament of his religion, has been convicted of possession in a 
Clear Creek County Court.

The judge said that while Douglas appeared sincere in his beliefs, 
she was not convinced his views and practices reached the level of 
organization that case law requires for a religion to receive protection.

Douglas says he admitted having marijuana in the car in August of 
2009 when he was pulled over for having an expired vehicle 
registration in Clear Creek County. Douglas argued that he should not 
be punished for having the pot, though, because he says marijuana is 
the main sacrament of his religion.

Douglas is a member of the Hilo, Hawaii-based THC Ministry. He says 
his religion mandates marijuana use and that the drug is similar to 
wine used in the Christian rite of communion.

Douglas represented himself in a hearing Tuesday. He also faced a 
charge of having drug paraphernalia.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart