Posted on: Saturday, June 14, 2003
Hawai'i-registered cannabis minister says raid unjustified
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Associated Press
The Rev. Lee Phillips believes that his Auburn, Wash. church, which has Hawai'i roots, requires him to share the "holy herb" marijuana with his congregation for spiritual and physical healing.
Police had no right to raid his house, confiscate more than 200 marijuana plants and related equipment and take his wife, Lori, to the jail overnight, he contends.
"This house is a church," he told the King County Journal recently, sitting in the garage of his one-story rambler that doubles as a branch of the Religion of Jesus Church.
"In this building we heal, we counsel, we hold church," he said. "People come to us for what we offer them."
Lori Phillips has a doctor's note to use marijuana legally for medicinal purposes for treatment of hepatitis C, a chronic disease that damages the liver. Washington state law permits use of small amounts of the drug for therapy.
Detective Jim Miller, who led the Valley Narcotics Enforcement Team investigation of the couple, believes police were right to take action.
"She may have permission from a doctor," Miller said, "but she doesn't have permission to have over 200 plants."
The couple's church is registered with the state as a nonprofit organization called The Center for Healing and Spiritual Renewal.
Phillips is registered in Hawai'i as an ordained cannabis sacrament minister and is a reverend in the Religion of Jesus Church, founded in Hawai'i more than 40 years ago.
Church bylaws state: "Because Cannabis brings us closer to God and our Heavenly Father closer to us, it helps us to achieve greater growth of our soul. Cannabis is and always will be a spiritual aid — this fact is proven over and over again throughout history."
"The government can't tell you how to practice your religion unless they have a compelling state interest," Phillips said.
The "sacramental medicine" is used only within the confines of the house, never in public view, he said.
"It takes some of the pain away," he said. "God doesn't want any of us to hurt."
Payment is not required, he said, but donations from hundreds of people over the past four years have been enough to provide for his family and help other church members. He would not reveal the amount.
Miller said the street value of the plants is between $200,000 and $400,000. He characterized the couple's activities as "the same as selling dope."
No charges have been filed from the May 29 raid. Miller said the investigation could last three more months.
The couple's attorney, Jeff Steinborn of Seattle, sees validity in their religion.
"In many respects, I feel the same way," he said. "Throughout religion, mystical experiences have been altered states of consciousness brought on by the use of some substance," he said.
Previously, Lee Phillips was arrested in Auburn during a traffic stop for possession of drugs. The charge was dropped, he said, after he explained that the marijuana was medication for his wife.
Washington is one of nine states that have legalized medical use of marijuana. The others are Arizona, Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Nevada, Oregon and Hawai'i.
Federal authorities said any marijuana use is illegal and the Justice Department has said that federal law takes precedence, but the issue is being argued in court.
• On the Web: www.hialoha.com/konagold/church/sacrament.html
