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The Court Listens To An Appeal Against A Rastafarian Seeking Freedom Of
Religion
Rastafarians smoke marijuana in a rite as common as communion for
Catholics, an attorney of the American Civil Liberties Union said after a
first-of-its-kind hearing before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
"Marijuana is a common necessary sacrament to the Rastafarian religion,"
said Graham Boyd, director of the ACLU's Drug Policy Litigation Project.
At a hearing in the 9th Circuit courtroom in Honolulu yesterday, ACLU
attorneys argued a Guam resident's right to smoke marijuana. The territory
of Guam is trying to overturn territorial court rulings dismissing criminal
charges against Benny Toves Guerrero
This is the first case of its kind to be heard by any federal court, Boyd said.
According to Boyd, Guerrero was returning to Guam from Hawaii on Jan. 2,
1991. Upon arrival at the A.B. Won Pat Guam International Airport, custom
officials became suspicious after observing Guerrero carrying a book on
Rastafarianism and marijuana. Officials searched his bag and discovered a
seven-ounce bag of marijuana. Guerrero, whose Rastafarian name is Ras Iyah
Ben Makhana, was arrested and charged with importation of a controlled
substance.
Guerrero moved to dismiss his indictment, stating prosecution violated his
right to exercise his religion under the Constitution of Guam and the
Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993.
A lower court agreed. On Sept. 8, 2000, the Supreme Court of Guam ruled the
use of marijuana by a Rastafarian for religious purposes is protected under
the Free Exercise Clause of the Constitution of Guam. The Guam government
then appealed the ruling to the 9th Circuit.
Guerrero, who is in his mid-40s, has been a follower of Rastafarianism for
19 years, Boyd said.
Rastafarianism originated in Jamaica. Followers of the Rastafarian religion
smoke marijuana for spiritual purposes and as a sacrament of their faith.
Guam should be allowed to guarantee individuals the right to use marijuana
for religious purposes without fear of federal interference, Boyd said.
"If he loses his case, it will really affect him from practicing his
religion ... We're a religious, diverse nation and one of the cornerstones
of democracy is tolerance," he said.
At the hearing, ACLU attorney Nelson Tebbe said federal courts have
historically recognized the competence of territorial supreme courts to
rule on matters of local tradition and culture.
"Rastafarianism is a legitimate religion," he added. "Our client Ras
Makhana is a devout adherent to this religion, and the use of marijuana as
a sacrament is necessary for the practice of his faith. Guam's high court
is best suited to understand and appreciate the unique customs of its people."
"There is a question of whether federal court is going to interfere with
the Guam court," Boyd said. "It's time to allow Guam courts to make their
own decisions concerning Guam laws."
Boyd said Guam's argument is that its Bill of Rights does not protect
Guerrero's religious freedom.
Tricia Ada, who is representing Guam, could not be reached for comment.
Three judges of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals are expected to
issuea ruling on the case in three to six months.
Newshawk: WallyB
Pubdate: Tue, 6 Nov 2001
Source: Honolulu Star-Bulletin (HI)
Copyright: 2001 Honolulu Star-Bulletin
Contact: letters@starbulletin.com
Website: Honolulu Star-Advertiser | Hawaii News, Sports, Weather and Entertainment
Details: MapInc
Author: Rosemarie Bernardo
Religion
Rastafarians smoke marijuana in a rite as common as communion for
Catholics, an attorney of the American Civil Liberties Union said after a
first-of-its-kind hearing before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
"Marijuana is a common necessary sacrament to the Rastafarian religion,"
said Graham Boyd, director of the ACLU's Drug Policy Litigation Project.
At a hearing in the 9th Circuit courtroom in Honolulu yesterday, ACLU
attorneys argued a Guam resident's right to smoke marijuana. The territory
of Guam is trying to overturn territorial court rulings dismissing criminal
charges against Benny Toves Guerrero
This is the first case of its kind to be heard by any federal court, Boyd said.
According to Boyd, Guerrero was returning to Guam from Hawaii on Jan. 2,
1991. Upon arrival at the A.B. Won Pat Guam International Airport, custom
officials became suspicious after observing Guerrero carrying a book on
Rastafarianism and marijuana. Officials searched his bag and discovered a
seven-ounce bag of marijuana. Guerrero, whose Rastafarian name is Ras Iyah
Ben Makhana, was arrested and charged with importation of a controlled
substance.
Guerrero moved to dismiss his indictment, stating prosecution violated his
right to exercise his religion under the Constitution of Guam and the
Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993.
A lower court agreed. On Sept. 8, 2000, the Supreme Court of Guam ruled the
use of marijuana by a Rastafarian for religious purposes is protected under
the Free Exercise Clause of the Constitution of Guam. The Guam government
then appealed the ruling to the 9th Circuit.
Guerrero, who is in his mid-40s, has been a follower of Rastafarianism for
19 years, Boyd said.
Rastafarianism originated in Jamaica. Followers of the Rastafarian religion
smoke marijuana for spiritual purposes and as a sacrament of their faith.
Guam should be allowed to guarantee individuals the right to use marijuana
for religious purposes without fear of federal interference, Boyd said.
"If he loses his case, it will really affect him from practicing his
religion ... We're a religious, diverse nation and one of the cornerstones
of democracy is tolerance," he said.
At the hearing, ACLU attorney Nelson Tebbe said federal courts have
historically recognized the competence of territorial supreme courts to
rule on matters of local tradition and culture.
"Rastafarianism is a legitimate religion," he added. "Our client Ras
Makhana is a devout adherent to this religion, and the use of marijuana as
a sacrament is necessary for the practice of his faith. Guam's high court
is best suited to understand and appreciate the unique customs of its people."
"There is a question of whether federal court is going to interfere with
the Guam court," Boyd said. "It's time to allow Guam courts to make their
own decisions concerning Guam laws."
Boyd said Guam's argument is that its Bill of Rights does not protect
Guerrero's religious freedom.
Tricia Ada, who is representing Guam, could not be reached for comment.
Three judges of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals are expected to
issuea ruling on the case in three to six months.
Newshawk: WallyB
Pubdate: Tue, 6 Nov 2001
Source: Honolulu Star-Bulletin (HI)
Copyright: 2001 Honolulu Star-Bulletin
Contact: letters@starbulletin.com
Website: Honolulu Star-Advertiser | Hawaii News, Sports, Weather and Entertainment
Details: MapInc
Author: Rosemarie Bernardo
