HAWAI'I-REGISTERED CANNABIS MINISTER SAYS RAID UNJUSTIFIED

(AP) - The Rev. Lee Phillips believes that his Auburn, Wash. church, which
has Hawai'i roots, requires him to share the "holy herb" marijuana with his
congregation for spiritual and physical healing.

Police had no right to raid his house, confiscate more than 200 marijuana
plants and related equipment and take his wife, Lori, to the jail
overnight, he contends.

"This house is a church," he told the King County Journal recently, sitting
in the garage of his one-story rambler that doubles as a branch of the
Religion of Jesus Church.

"In this building we heal, we counsel, we hold church," he said. "People
come to us for what we offer them."

Lori Phillips has a doctor's note to use marijuana legally for medicinal
purposes for treatment of hepatitis C, a chronic disease that damages the
liver. Washington state law permits use of small amounts of the drug for
therapy.

Detective Jim Miller, who led the Valley Narcotics Enforcement Team
investigation of the couple, believes police were right to take action.

"She may have permission from a doctor," Miller said, "but she doesn't have
permission to have over 200 plants."

The couple's church is registered with the state as a nonprofit
organization called The Center for Healing and Spiritual Renewal.

Phillips is registered in Hawai'i as an ordained cannabis sacrament
minister and is a reverend in the Religion of Jesus Church, founded in
Hawai'i more than 40 years ago.

Church bylaws state: "Because Cannabis brings us closer to God and our
Heavenly Father closer to us, it helps us to achieve greater growth of our
soul. Cannabis is and always will be a spiritual aid -- this fact is proven
over and over again throughout history."

"The government can't tell you how to practice your religion unless they
have a compelling state interest," Phillips said.

The "sacramental medicine" is used only within the confines of the house,
never in public view, he said.

"It takes some of the pain away," he said. "God doesn't want any of us to
hurt."

Payment is not required, he said, but donations from hundreds of people
over the past four years have been enough to provide for his family and
help other church members. He would not reveal the amount.

Miller said the street value of the plants is between $200,000 and
$400,000. He characterized the couple's activities as "the same as selling
dope."

No charges have been filed from the May 29 raid. Miller said the
investigation could last three more months.

The couple's attorney, Jeff Steinborn of Seattle, sees validity in their
religion.

"In many respects, I feel the same way," he said. "Throughout religion,
mystical experiences have been altered states of consciousness brought on
by the use of some substance," he said.

Previously, Lee Phillips was arrested in Auburn during a traffic stop for
possession of drugs. The charge was dropped, he said, after he explained
that the marijuana was medication for his wife.

Washington is one of nine states that have legalized medical use of
marijuana. The others are Arizona, Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine,
Nevada, Oregon and Hawai'i.

Federal authorities said any marijuana use is illegal and the Justice
Department has said that federal law takes precedence, but the issue is
being argued in court.

* On the Web: www.hialoha.com/konagold/church/sacrament.html