MAN CONVICTED FOR POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA "SACRAMENT"

GEORGETOWN - Trevor Douglas, a man claiming marijuana is the main
sacrament of his religion, has been convicted of possession in a
Clear Creek County Court.

The judge said that while Douglas appeared sincere in his beliefs,
she was not convinced his views and practices reached the level of
organization that case law requires for a religion to receive protection.

Douglas says he admitted having marijuana in the car in August of
2009 when he was pulled over for having an expired vehicle
registration in Clear Creek County. Douglas argued that he should not
be punished for having the pot, though, because he says marijuana is
the main sacrament of his religion.

Douglas is a member of the Hilo, Hawaii-based THC Ministry. He says
his religion mandates marijuana use and that the drug is similar to
wine used in the Christian rite of communion.

Douglas represented himself in a hearing Tuesday. He also faced a
charge of having drug paraphernalia.