Sunday, May 26, 2013

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.