MEDICAL MARIJUANA ADVOCATES FILE SUIT AGAINST DEA, OTHERS

Religious and medical marijuana advocates filed a complaint for injunctive
relief in the U.S. District Court last week against U.S. Attorney General
John Ashcroft, Drug Enforcement Administration Administrator Karen Tandy
and Hawaii's U.S. District Attorney Ed Kubo.

The suit - headed by Maui-based Religion of Jesus Church founder James
Kimmell and Big Island-based The Hawaii Cannabis Ministry founder Roger
Christie - seeks to enjoin the federal government from arresting and
prosecuting Hawaii residents "whose religions and religious beliefs require
the consumption of cannabis," according to a prepared statement. The
lawsuit also reportedly seeks protection from federal prosecution for
Hawaii residents who cultivate, consume and distribute marijuana legally in
Hawaii according to legislatively-enacted Department of Public Safety
Narcotics Enforcement Division guidelines and valid patient-caregiver
registration certificates.