cannabisnews.com: Religion Complicates Hilo Drug Trial





Religion Complicates Hilo Drug Trial
Posted by FoM on August 22, 2001 at 22:44:37 PT
By Rod Thompson
Source: Star-Bulletin
Jonathan Adler, 49, former Big Island mayoral candidate, would-be 2002 gubernatorial candidate and marijuana advocate, admits he grew and possessed 89 marijuana plants in 1998. Adler's trial for commercial promotion of marijuana began yesterday with Deputy Prosecutor Kevin Hashizaki telling a jury that Adler grew the plants for money.Adler's attorney, Michael Glenn, told the jury that Adler grew the plants for use in his religion. Adler is protected by the religious freedom clause of the U.S. Constitution, Glenn said.
Drug business or religious sacrament? Some aspects of the question are so complicated that the two sides plan a meeting with Circuit Judge Greg Nakamura today to decide how to conduct parts of the trial.For Hashizaki, the issue is clear. In 1999, Adler told a secretary in the prosecutor's office that he wanted $89,000 for the 89 plants confiscated by police.Glenn paints a more complicated picture. First, the prosecution must refute -- but can't, Glenn said -- that Adler is a sincere minister in a real religion, called the Religion of Jesus Church.For example, Adler has performed state-approved wedding ceremonies, Glenn said."It's not some scam created by some hippies," he said.If the prosecution is unable to refute Adler's sincerity, then the prosecution must show that the state has a "compelling interest" in restricting Adler's religious practices, Glenn said. Furthermore, he said, the state has to use the least restrictive means of limiting those practices.If state law doesn't meet those tests, Adler's constitutional protection remains intact, Glenn said.It will be up to Nakamura to decide what testimony the jury will hear. The issue will be discussed at today's meeting.Note: The judge must decide if there is a constitutional issue.Source: Honolulu Star-Bulletin (HI)Author: Rod ThompsonPublished: Wednesday, August 22, 2001Copyright: 2001 Honolulu Star-BulletinContact: letters starbulletin.comWebsite: http://www.starbulletin.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Hawaii Medical Marijuana Institutehttp://www.medijuana.com/Adler Faces New Marijuana Charges http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread10289.shtmlAdler Indicted on Eight Drug Charges http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread10283.shtml
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Comment #7 posted by DOC on August 25, 2001 at 23:29:03 PT:
re: DOC
Thanks "FoM", for clearing that up. If "meagain" did indeed refer to Nakamura, I stand chastised. I agree, "JUSTICE" is truly perverted! Please, PEOPLE, jump on this band-wagon and ride it all the way to D.C.. This brave man is being martyred for the "CAUSE". We should all be writing to the political pundits responsible for this travesty. Get on your phone, computer or break out the pen and paper and DO SOMETHING! It is all well and good that we support the good Rev., but actions speak much louder than words, unless those words strike the right targets. Take aim my friends! Those are OUR rights disappearing down the john! Don't just watch the circus, get into the act! We need to deluge the Hawaiian "powers that be" with adamant protestation of this ridiculous and obviously politically motivated comedy of errors. It's time to join the fight or lose the battle!!! PEACE, LOVE... AND ACTIVISM!!!!!NOW!!!!!
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on August 25, 2001 at 18:02:55 PT
News Brief from the Honolulu Star-Bulletin 
Adler Insists Marijuana Use is Religious Source: Honolulu Star-Bulletin (HI)Author: Rod ThompsonPublished: Friday, August 24, 2001Copyright: 2001 Honolulu Star-BulletinContact: letters starbulletin.comWebsite: http://www.starbulletin.com/ Religious marijuana advocate Jonathan Adler testified yesterday about warning police during a 1998 raid on his home for marijuana that they were trespassing on a religious sanctuary.Adler, 49, is on trial in Third Circuit Court for commercial promotion of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. On the witness stand, Adler confirmed the 89 plants and four pipes found at his home south of Hilo were his.The stalk of each plant had a tag on it saying the plant was for religious and medical purposes and that each was legal under Hawaii law HRS 712-1240.1, which permits a defense against prosecution if a person possesses marijuana "pursuant to a lawful prescription, or as a person otherwise authorized by law."Adler says he is authorized by law because since 1974 he has had a state license to perform weddings, thereby recognizing that he is a minister.In 1974, Adler attended a divinity school on Kauai, learning the teachings of the Religion of Jesus Church.An important part of Adler's defense is that his church requires marijuana use, and courts have ruled that if the state limits his religion, it must do so in the least restrictive way possible.Adler contends that complete prohibition is not the "least restrictive" way open to the state.The prosecution contends Adler grew the 89 plants simply for money.
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on August 25, 2001 at 11:27:59 PT
DOC
I'll try to answer you. This is what meagain said. I'm sure he wasn't referring to Reverend Adler. I know meagain isn't here all the time so I thought I should let you know.So it will be up to Nakamura as to whether the jury hears the truth or a carefully fabricated lie???Justice is perverted.
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Comment #4 posted by DOC on August 25, 2001 at 11:10:41 PT:
re: "CAREFULLY FABRICATED LIES?"
Dear "meagain",Please expound on your statement. Just exactly WHO is "CAREFULLY FABRICATING LIES"? I'm not sure to whom you refer. I can assure you that it is NOT the good REVEREND ADLER! If you ARE referring to Rev. Adler, you are gravely mistaken, my friend! His religious background and the foundation of his religious beliefs and practices are unimpeachable. He is indeed a TRUE believer and practitioner of the RELIGION OF JESUS CHURCH, and his involvement in the Church precedes the current debacle (ignoring his civil rights) by nearly 30 years! If you refer to Judge Nakamura, well, we haven't heard the whole story yet. What happens in the next stage of the proceedings will show his true colors. We can only hope that the LORD touches his heart and mind and leads him to the only rightful outcome, complete and permanent exoneration of the Reverend's religious practices and the total restoration of his rights to practice his religion without further unfounded attacks on his character and the restoration of his once peaceful and spiritually rewarding life!
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Comment #3 posted by DOC on August 24, 2001 at 12:54:31 PT:
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM?
Anybody read the constitution of the U.S. lately? The unjust and profoundly unconstitutional religious persecution of Rev. Adler by the fascist far-right must be halted immediately for the sake of every God-Fearing citizen. Not only is the action being taken against the good Reverend unconstitutional, but it strikes at the heart of the foundation of our once great "Democratic Republic". The PEOPLE have already spoken as to the potential medicinal benefits in many states. How can the federal government justify their stance when so many of us have gone to the polls and delivered our retort in no uncertain terms. Marijuana MUST AND WILL become a legally obtainable curative/sacramental herb as it is already in so many of our ally nations. Our forefathers sought out this land as a means of escape from precisely this type of persecution. Shall we allow "BIG TOBACCO" and "BIG PHARMACEUTICALS" to dictate national policy? We allow cigarettes, alcohol, firearms and a myriad of TRULY harmful substances/chemicals to be distributed freely, each of which kills millions of people every year, while we prohibit the use of one of God's most useful and potentially life-saving herbs. Something smells foul here and it wreaks of "BIG GOVERNMENT". Anybody ever hear of a "marijuana-related" death? Have you ever heard of a pot smoker killing someone to support his habit? Die of an overdose?(except maybe from eating too many "twinkies") Every day I see more and more evidence that people who indulge in "hard drugs" do so because the illegality of pot makes it too expensive to procure. The fact that heroin is cheaper than pot proves that the prohibition of pot has created a criminal sub-culture that thrives on sales of crack, coke, smack, ecstacy, amphetamines and a host of other deadly and addictive drugs to children. If Jesus were alive today, He would be ashamed of our country! His Father gave us dominion over the plant and animal kingdoms in order to give us our OWN choices as to how we handle our OWN lives. Prohibitionists who think that they are following CHRIST have been deceived by Satan, just as Eve was deceived by the Serpent, just as the war on pot is based on deception and mis-direction. If I am not mistaken, there is a commandment that says "Thou shalt not bear false witness". If there are any Christians out there reading this, please look at Exodus 23:1-3, and 20:16; Proverbs 19:9, Genesis 3:1-5, Deuteronomy 19:21 (there are no victimless crimes in the BIBLE), Genesis 1:11-12, "God created every sort of seed-bearing plant, and it was good", Matthew 23 features JESUS speaking against hypocrites. We have a President who admits to cocaine use and drunk-driving, and a former House Speaker and President who we all know "inhaled". Isn't it hypocritical to prohibit people from doing what they admit to having done in their youth? In closing I ask you to consider this also: Nothing is more destructive of respect for the government and the law of the land than passing laws which cannot realistically be enforced. It is an open secret that the dangerous increase in crime in this country is closely connected with prohibition of marijuana. Responsible use and regulation would do far more to prevent the use of "illegal drugs" by children. Ever see a dealer ask for an I.D.? Abraham Lincoln once said "Prohibition goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control a man's appetite by legislation and makes a crime out of things that are not crimes. A prohibition law strikes a blow at the very principles upon which our government was founded." God Bless you Rev. Adler, the Bible and JESUS CHRIST Himself are behind you. A recent resolution in the house of representatives, and a statement by the DEA Chief shows that most American politicians will not escape the fires of HELL, as JESUS said of the Pharisees. They want to assure that God's plant is not available to sick people who could benefit greatly from it. The "WAR ON DRUGS" is becoming a "WAR ON THE SICK" and a vicious attack on the Religious Freedom of those individuals who believe it to be a sacred and sacramental instrument. Ask yourself if JESUS would condemn someone who would use this miracle of creation for medicinal use or those who use it as a means to feel closer to the "LORD". I think not. JESUS would be merciful and understanding, not hypocritical and vindictive. Shame on you Mr. Bush! And shame on us if we allow these unjust laws to go on destroying people's lives! 
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Comment #2 posted by Rev. Jonathan Adler on August 24, 2001 at 01:01:23 PT:
Me! And your religious rights!
Aloha, Yeah, it's me! I was almost gagged by the Judge the first day for saluting a Police officer who was supposedly my friend, but who stated his relationship with me was only professional as he testified against me at my trial. What a friend!? I must say you all out there should be hopping mad at what's been done to our religious freedom in Hilo, Hawaii! I am now at the mercy of Judge Nakamura, who claims the right to ignore Blake vs. State of Hawaii and control the findings of fact as a Judicial balance of the State's interests. In other words, it's rigged. I'll still win after the least restrictive means is formed. But the dragon is still spitting flames in Hilo. Help with your prayers and contact us through our site www.medijuana.com Aloha and Mahalos from Rev. Jon Adler 
Hawaii Medical Marijuana Institute
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Comment #1 posted by meagain on August 23, 2001 at 05:58:39 PT
I swear to tell the...and nothing but the...
"It will be up to Nakamura to decide what testimony the jury will hear. The issue will be discussed at today's meeting."So it will be up to Nakamura as to whether the jury hears the truth or a carefully fabricated lie???Justice is perverted.
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