Hawaii Appeals Court Rejects Free Exercise Defense To Marijuana Charges

In State of Hawai's v. Harris, (HI App., May 20, 2013), the Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals rejected a free exercise of religion defense raised by the president of Sacred Truth Mission church to drug charges.  A greenhouse next to the church contained 60 marijuana plants. Defendant Nancy Harris said she is a Rastafarian who uses marijuana for religious purposes. The court also rejected Harris' privacy, equal protection and void-for-vagueness defenses.