FREEDOM TO TOKE

For more than a week now, a growing number of cannabis activists have
been testing their First Amendment right to " freedom of religion" on
the steps of Eugene's County Courthouse by holding a prayer circle and
passing a "peace pipe." They say they believe it their personal,
religious choice to smoke marijuana and that their right to do so is
guaranteed by the Constitution.

Every day at 4:20 pm they have been gathering to pray for an "end to
the drug war" and "the criminalization of a plant." On Thursday and
Friday the EPD intervened and several who participated in the ceremony
were ticketed for possession of less than an ounce of marijuana or
"being in an area where controlled substances are known."

In response to police intervention, some of the participants have
begun a 24 hour vigil at the courthouse. "We're here because it's our
religion and it's our right," says Michael Anthony, long time cannabis
proponent and religious leader, "and we will remain until this system
repents for its crimes against the people."