State Lawsuit Challenges Ban on Sacramental Cannabis

Today's Lewiston, Maine Sun Journal reports on a lawsuit filed in in Oxford County (ME) Superior Court last week by Norman Hutchinson who claims that his free exercise rights are violated by prohibiting him from using cannabis. Hutchinson is a member of the Religion of Jesus Church whose 12 tenets mandate the use of the substance. In 2004, Hutchinson was indicted for cultivating cannabis and plead guilty in a plea bargain the next year. His suit against the state of Maine, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Mexico (ME) Police Department charges violation of his free exercise rights. It also asserts claims for false imprisonment, trespass, invasion of privacy and negligent and intentional infliction of emotional distress.