Religious Use of Cannabis Case Heads to Trial in Georgetown, Colorado

Trevor Douglas, a 25-year-old Avon, Colorado resident, is fighting his charges of marijuana possession based on his religious use of cannabis as a sacrament. His case goes to trial on Tuesday, March 9, 2010, in the Clear Creek Courthouse at 2pm.

Trevor was pulled over for having an expired vehicle registration in Clear Creek County in August 2009. The deputy claimed he smelled cannabis in the vehicle. Trevor admitted that there was some aromatic cannabis inside the vehicle, and voluntarily gave it to the officer. Trevor explained to the officer that he uses cannabis for religious purposes.

Trevor is a member of the Church of Universal Sacraments as well as the The Hawai`i Cannabis Ministry in Hilo, HI. Both of these organizations mandate the use of cannabis as part of their religion.

Click here to see the letter sent by THC Ministry founder Roger Christie on behalf of Trevor Douglas.

https://www.thc-ministry.org/images/trevor/roger.letter.trevor.pdf

Trevor admits that he was guilty of having expired registration and had it immediately renewed after his citation. However, he will defend himself against the charges of possession of less than 1 ounce of marijuana and for possession of paraphernalia. Trevor uses cannabis religiously and believes that both acts should be protected by the Constitution.

Cannabis has been used for centuries as Cannabis has been used for millennia as a sacrament by spiritual seekers & is the original sacrament of Hebrew, Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Shinto, Buddhist, Rasta and more. Religious freedom is protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The Colorado Constitution actually has stronger protections for religious freedom, explicitly protecting all religious “methods of worship.”

In a statement to the Court, Trevor wrote:

“The religious use of cannabis is mandated by my god, just as wine and bread are used by Christians or peyote used by Indians. Cannabis has been used by my family for generations for prayer, communion, healing and spiritual enlightenment. My religion is that of my fathers. My religious beliefs are protected by our Constitution and the Church ID I showed Trooper Graham clearly states so. I own and operate an Organic Meat Distribution Company in Vail, CO and work as a Electronic System Technician. I have a very good record as a citizen and try to give back to my community in every way. These charges are a clear violation of my first amendment rights and I request that they be dismissed.”

Click here to read the full statement:

https://www.thc-ministry.org/images/trevor/trevor.statement.pdf

Trevor feels so strongly about his beliefs that he is taking his case to trial. He missed the deadline to pay his $25 jury fee, so he will be tried by the Honorable Judge Rachel J. Olguin-Fresquez. Trevor cannot afford an attorney, so he is representing himself.

Trial of Trevor Douglas

Tuesday, March 6

2:00pm

Clear Creek County Court

405 Argentine

Georgetown CO 80444

Courthouse Phone: 303-679-4220

Supporters of religious cannabis use are invited to the trial to help support Trevor as he makes his stand about his religious beliefs.

For more information, contact:

Roger Christie, THC Ministry, Hilo, HI

(808) 217-9352

Email: info@thc-ministry.org