Roger Christie
Encyclopedia
Roger Christie is an ordained minister in the Religion of Jesus Church, which regards marijuana as a "sacramental herb." In 2000, he founded the THC Ministry
, which offered cannabis
as a part of its services. On July 8, 2010, Christie and 13 other individuals associated with the THC Ministry
were indicted by a Federal grand jury in Honolulu on Marijuana possession and trafficking charges. He is now being held in the Honolulu Federal Detention Center awaiting trial.
Roger Christie was born on June 15, 1949, in Steamboat Springs, Colorado
. Raised and schooled in the New Jersey
countryside in the 1950s and 1960s, he graduated from high school
in 1967.
After two years of college
studies and flight training school in Miami, Florida
he received an associate's degree
in Science
and a Commercial Pilot certificate.
In 1970 he enlisted in the US Army
and was trained as a G2 Intelligence
Analyst at Fort Holabird, Maryland
, a US Army
"spy school", but became disenchanted by the military and political missions in Vietnam
and elsewhere. Christie refused his orders to serve in the Vietnam War
and received an honorable discharge as a conscientious objector
. His success in this process inspired him to pursue legal options to overturn United States drug policy
, a fight which has led him to numerous court battles and arrests.
In 1986, he became a resident of Big Island
, Hawaii
. He was a co-founder of the Hawai'i Hemp Council in 1990 and, with Aaron Anderson and Dwight Kondo, founded the Hawaiian Hemp Company. By 1991, he had one of the first retail
hemp
stores in the world. In June, 2000, he was ordained as a minister by the Religion of Jesus Church through the Universal Life Church
. He received his license to perform marriages in the State of Hawaii
as a "Cannabis Sacrament" Minister and founded the THC Ministry
.
The Hawaii Cannabis (THC)Ministry was founded on the historical fact that Jesus Christ used cannabis; and, that it is the Holy Annointing Oil used by Jesus. During US alcohol Prohibition, Christians had a religious exemption and could use wine as Holy Sacrament; and, likewise for 10 ears the Christians of THC Ministry, for 10 years, had a religious exemption recognized by Hawaii County and State law enforcement; and, since there was no Federal intervention, there was an implied exemption by the Republican Bush Administration. It would be similar to a medical exemption as recognized and licensed by many US States. However a religious exemption for wine and for cannabis is different in that it is based on the USA 1st Amendment: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion..' But now, under US President Barack Hussen Obama's Justice the Christians have been busted and Roger Christie held without bail or trial for over a year. There hs been speculation that the trial will not allow discussion of or recognize the religious exemption defense.
Christie ran the THC Ministry (aka Hawaii Cannabis Ministry) in Hilo, Hawaii for ten years. According to the Ministry's website, “We use Cannabis religiously and you can, too.” For a $50 donation, a person could become a “Practitioner” and receive a plaque, an “affidavit of religious use”, two ID cards, and seven “Sacramental Plant Tags”. For $250, the donor would get a “Sanctuary Kit” which also included the “THC Minsitry [sic] Cannabis and Religion Guide”.
According to Christie, "We have cannabis here that people can donate for if they are 'blue card' (medical marijuana permit) holders or members of the ministry."
On March 20, 2010, Federal agents raided the downtown Hilo sanctuary of Christie's Hawaii Cannabis Ministry, assisted by local police. Christie said authorities spent about seven hours searching his home and ministry, starting around 6 a.m. He said the Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Postal Inspector and U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service were involved in the search.
A three-count sealed indictment in June, 2010 charged Christie with conspiracy to manufacture, distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 100 marijuana plants, manufacturing marijuana and possession with the intent to distribute 240 marijuana plants.
According to court documents, authorities also confiscated approximately 845 grams of processed marijuana in the Wainaku apartment and more than $34,000 cash from the apartment and a bank safe deposit box. The money and the apartment face possible federal forfeiture.
Christie was arrested on Thursday July 8, 2010, along with 13 others from the Big Island, and charged with possession and sale of cannabis. He was taken to Oahu, where he was incarcerated at the Honolulu Federal Detention Center. All other detainees were speedily released on bail or signature bond before trial. But
Hawaii Federal District Court Judge Alan Kay ruled that Christie must remain in federal custody until his trial, because Christie represents a “danger to the community.” Judge Kay's ruling was upheld by 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals. Christie is being represented by a public defender.
Christie’s trial has now been set for October 3, 2011. By then, Christie will have spent over 14 months in the Honolulu Federal Detention Center. His arrest culminated a two-year investigation by federal and county law enforcement during which they seized 2,296 marijuana plants, nine weapons, 33 pounds of processed marijuana, more than $21,000 cash and four properties.
Christie allegedly sold a daily average of one half pound of cannabis to 60 to 70 customers each day, about 180 pounds (81.6 kg) per year.
Federal investigators said Christie suggested a donation of $400 in exchange for an ounce of marijuana from customers, which is the approximate street value of pot. At this rate, donations to Christie's ministry in exchange for marijuana would amount to over $1 million per year.
In 2004 and 2008, Christie launched unsuccessful bids for Mayor of Hawaii County.
THC Ministry
The THC Ministry, founded by Roger Christie from the Religion of Jesus Church, is a religion which considers cannabis to be a sacrament. Members base their practices on what they see as an eclectic mixture of ancient wisdom, modern science, and the enlightening and healing properties of cannabis...
, which offered cannabis
Cannabis
Cannabis is a genus of flowering plants that includes three putative species, Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis. These three taxa are indigenous to Central Asia, and South Asia. Cannabis has long been used for fibre , for seed and seed oils, for medicinal purposes, and as a...
as a part of its services. On July 8, 2010, Christie and 13 other individuals associated with the THC Ministry
THC Ministry
The THC Ministry, founded by Roger Christie from the Religion of Jesus Church, is a religion which considers cannabis to be a sacrament. Members base their practices on what they see as an eclectic mixture of ancient wisdom, modern science, and the enlightening and healing properties of cannabis...
were indicted by a Federal grand jury in Honolulu on Marijuana possession and trafficking charges. He is now being held in the Honolulu Federal Detention Center awaiting trial.
Roger Christie was born on June 15, 1949, in Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Steamboat Springs, Colorado
The city of Steamboat Springs is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Routt County, Colorado, United States. The city is also known as "Steamboat," "The Boat," or "Ski Town USA". As of the 2010 census, the city population was 12,088.The city is an...
. Raised and schooled in the New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
countryside in the 1950s and 1960s, he graduated from high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
in 1967.
After two years of college
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
studies and flight training school in Miami, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
he received an associate's degree
Associate's degree
An associate degree is an undergraduate academic degree awarded by community colleges, junior colleges, technical colleges, and bachelor's degree-granting colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study usually lasting two years...
in Science
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
and a Commercial Pilot certificate.
In 1970 he enlisted in the US Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
and was trained as a G2 Intelligence
Military intelligence
Military intelligence is a military discipline that exploits a number of information collection and analysis approaches to provide guidance and direction to commanders in support of their decisions....
Analyst at Fort Holabird, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, a US Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
"spy school", but became disenchanted by the military and political missions in Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
and elsewhere. Christie refused his orders to serve in the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
and received an honorable discharge as a conscientious objector
Conscientious objector
A conscientious objector is an "individual who has claimed the right to refuse to perform military service" on the grounds of freedom of thought, conscience, and/or religion....
. His success in this process inspired him to pursue legal options to overturn United States drug policy
Drug policy of the United States
Drug use has increased in all categories since prohibition except that opium use is at a fraction of its peak level. The big decline in use of opium started already after the Harrison Act of 1914. Use of heroin peaked between 1969 and 1971, cocaine, between 1987 and 1989 and marijuana between 1978...
, a fight which has led him to numerous court battles and arrests.
In 1986, he became a resident of Big Island
Hawaii (island)
The Island of Hawaii, also called the Big Island or Hawaii Island , is a volcanic island in the North Pacific Ocean...
, Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
. He was a co-founder of the Hawai'i Hemp Council in 1990 and, with Aaron Anderson and Dwight Kondo, founded the Hawaiian Hemp Company. By 1991, he had one of the first retail
Retail
Retail consists of the sale of physical goods or merchandise from a fixed location, such as a department store, boutique or kiosk, or by mail, in small or individual lots for direct consumption by the purchaser. Retailing may include subordinated services, such as delivery. Purchasers may be...
hemp
Hemp
Hemp is mostly used as a name for low tetrahydrocannabinol strains of the plant Cannabis sativa, of fiber and/or oilseed varieties. In modern times, hemp has been used for industrial purposes including paper, textiles, biodegradable plastics, construction, health food and fuel with modest...
stores in the world. In June, 2000, he was ordained as a minister by the Religion of Jesus Church through the Universal Life Church
Universal Life Church
The Universal Life Church is a religious organization that offers anyone semi-immediate ordination as a ULC minister free of charge. The organization states that anyone can become a minister immediately, without having to go through the pre-ordination process required by other religious faiths...
. He received his license to perform marriages in the State of Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
as a "Cannabis Sacrament" Minister and founded the THC Ministry
THC Ministry
The THC Ministry, founded by Roger Christie from the Religion of Jesus Church, is a religion which considers cannabis to be a sacrament. Members base their practices on what they see as an eclectic mixture of ancient wisdom, modern science, and the enlightening and healing properties of cannabis...
.
The Hawaii Cannabis (THC)Ministry was founded on the historical fact that Jesus Christ used cannabis; and, that it is the Holy Annointing Oil used by Jesus. During US alcohol Prohibition, Christians had a religious exemption and could use wine as Holy Sacrament; and, likewise for 10 ears the Christians of THC Ministry, for 10 years, had a religious exemption recognized by Hawaii County and State law enforcement; and, since there was no Federal intervention, there was an implied exemption by the Republican Bush Administration. It would be similar to a medical exemption as recognized and licensed by many US States. However a religious exemption for wine and for cannabis is different in that it is based on the USA 1st Amendment: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion..' But now, under US President Barack Hussen Obama's Justice the Christians have been busted and Roger Christie held without bail or trial for over a year. There hs been speculation that the trial will not allow discussion of or recognize the religious exemption defense.
Christie ran the THC Ministry (aka Hawaii Cannabis Ministry) in Hilo, Hawaii for ten years. According to the Ministry's website, “We use Cannabis religiously and you can, too.” For a $50 donation, a person could become a “Practitioner” and receive a plaque, an “affidavit of religious use”, two ID cards, and seven “Sacramental Plant Tags”. For $250, the donor would get a “Sanctuary Kit” which also included the “THC Minsitry [sic] Cannabis and Religion Guide”.
According to Christie, "We have cannabis here that people can donate for if they are 'blue card' (medical marijuana permit) holders or members of the ministry."
On March 20, 2010, Federal agents raided the downtown Hilo sanctuary of Christie's Hawaii Cannabis Ministry, assisted by local police. Christie said authorities spent about seven hours searching his home and ministry, starting around 6 a.m. He said the Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Postal Inspector and U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service were involved in the search.
A three-count sealed indictment in June, 2010 charged Christie with conspiracy to manufacture, distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 100 marijuana plants, manufacturing marijuana and possession with the intent to distribute 240 marijuana plants.
According to court documents, authorities also confiscated approximately 845 grams of processed marijuana in the Wainaku apartment and more than $34,000 cash from the apartment and a bank safe deposit box. The money and the apartment face possible federal forfeiture.
Christie was arrested on Thursday July 8, 2010, along with 13 others from the Big Island, and charged with possession and sale of cannabis. He was taken to Oahu, where he was incarcerated at the Honolulu Federal Detention Center. All other detainees were speedily released on bail or signature bond before trial. But
Hawaii Federal District Court Judge Alan Kay ruled that Christie must remain in federal custody until his trial, because Christie represents a “danger to the community.” Judge Kay's ruling was upheld by 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals. Christie is being represented by a public defender.
Christie’s trial has now been set for October 3, 2011. By then, Christie will have spent over 14 months in the Honolulu Federal Detention Center. His arrest culminated a two-year investigation by federal and county law enforcement during which they seized 2,296 marijuana plants, nine weapons, 33 pounds of processed marijuana, more than $21,000 cash and four properties.
Christie allegedly sold a daily average of one half pound of cannabis to 60 to 70 customers each day, about 180 pounds (81.6 kg) per year.
Federal investigators said Christie suggested a donation of $400 in exchange for an ounce of marijuana from customers, which is the approximate street value of pot. At this rate, donations to Christie's ministry in exchange for marijuana would amount to over $1 million per year.
In 2004 and 2008, Christie launched unsuccessful bids for Mayor of Hawaii County.