cannabisnews.com: Former Big Isle Minister Nabbed in Marijuana Raid










  Former Big Isle Minister Nabbed in Marijuana Raid

Posted by CN Staff on June 16, 2003 at 08:40:32 PT
Staff and News Services 
Source: Star-Bulletin  

The Rev. Lee Phillips believes that his church in Auburn, Wash., which has Hawaii roots, requires him to share the "holy herb" marijuana with his congregation for spiritual and physical healing.Police had no right to raid his house, confiscate more than 200 marijuana plants and related equipment and take his wife, Lori, a medical marijuana user, to the Kent City Jail overnight, he contends.
"This house is a church," he told the King County Journal recently, sitting in the garage of his one-story rambler that doubles as a branch of the Religion of Jesus Church."In this building we heal, we counsel, we hold church," he said. "People come to us for what we offer them."In Kona, Religion of Jesus Rev. Dennis Shields said he ordained Phillips two or three years ago."He's been on a mission to follow the teaching of Jesus to heal the sick in accordance with the will of the Father in heaven," Shields said.Lori Phillips has a doctor's note to use marijuana legally for medicinal purposes for treatment of hepatitis C, a chronic disease that damages the liver.Washington state law permits use of small amounts of the drug for therapy.Detective Jim Miller, who led the Valley Narcotics Enforcement Team investigation of the couple, believes police were right to take action."She may have permission from a doctor," Miller said, "but she doesn't have permission to have over 200 plants."The couple's church is registered with the state as a nonprofit organization called the Center for Healing and Spiritual Renewal.Shields said that the idea that 200 plants is an excessive amount is "simply nuts." Lori Phillips can go through a few plants per day making teas, liniments and extracts, he said.The Religion of Jesus Church was founded in Sonoma, Calif. in 1969 by former high school science teacher James Kimmel.Shields was found guilty of misdemeanor marijuana possession in 1997 after it was determined that a U.S. religious freedom law regarding drugs did not apply to him because his church did not mandate use of marijuana. Shields was sentenced to probation.After that, Kimmel and others made marijuana use by church members mandatory.Another Religion of Jesus minister in Hawaii, Jonathan Adler, of Puna, was sentenced to six months in jail last year for possession of 144 marijuana plants.Phillips said church bylaws state: "Because Cannabis brings us closer to God and our Heavenly Father closer to us, it helps us to achieve greater growth of our soul. Cannabis is and always will be a spiritual aid -- this fact is proven over and over again throughout history.""The government can't tell you how to practice your religion unless they have a compelling state interest," Phillips said.The "sacramental medicine" is used only within the confines of the house, never in public view, he said."It takes some of the pain away," he said. "God doesn't want any of us to hurt."Payment is not required, he said, but donations from hundreds of people over the past four years have been enough to provide for his family and help other church members. He would not reveal the amount.Miller said the street value of the plants is between $200,000 and $400,000. He characterized the couple's activities as "the same as selling dope."No charges have been filed from the May 29 raid. Miller said the investigation could last three more months.The couple's attorney, Jeff Steinborn, of Seattle, sees validity in their religion."In many respects, I feel the same way," he said. "Throughout religion, mystical experiences have been altered states of consciousness brought on by the use of some substance."These folks aren't just nut cases," he said.Previously, Lee Phillips was arrested in Auburn during a traffic stop for possession of drugs. The charge was dropped, he said, after he explained that the marijuana was medication for his wife.Washington is one of nine states that have legalized medicinal marijuana. The others are Arizona, Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Nevada, Oregon and Hawaii.Federal authorities say any marijuana use is illegal, and the Justice Department has said that federal law takes precedence, but the issue is being argued in court.Source: Honolulu Star-Bulletin (HI)Published: Monday, June 16, 2003Copyright: 2003 Honolulu Star-BulletinContact: letters starbulletin.comWebsite: http://www.starbulletin.com/Related Articles & Web Sites:Hawaii Medical Marijuana Institutehttp://www.medijuana.com/Religion of Jesus Church http://www.hialoha.com/konagold/church/Church Leader Defends Marijuana Usehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16577.shtmlJesus Used Cannabis Oil, Writer Says http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15357.shtmlJesus Used Cannabis To Heal Ailmentshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15122.shtml

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Comment #18 posted by konagold on June 19, 2003 at 19:10:37 PT:
test
test
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Comment #17 posted by BigIsleHawaii on June 18, 2003 at 23:25:47 PT:
TOLD FROM A THIRD PARTY
Aloha and Blessing to everyone. What I have undoubtedly seen here is some serious mud slinging. First off, I would like to say, I do not know what happened many years ago, and honestly I do not care. What I do know, speaking from a third party view, I know both of these men. First, I don't believe Jonathan rotted in jail; he is out today and well, as I just spoke with him last night. The way I see it, this is a fight against the DEA and for the truth about cannabis, whether medicinal or sacramental, be known, it has proven itself time and time again, this is not a fight against each other. I have known Dennis and his wife for many years now and not once did they ever try to manipulate or sway my decision in who I became acquainted with, which obviously included Jonathan Adler. Now, just to clear up any misunderstandings, it was not Dennis Shields who was involved with the assault against Roger Christie that was someone else we are all acquainted with. I would go on to further state that I have been to the Shield's residence time and time again over the past 10 years at least and not once have I ever felt disgusted in any way about their home. It is not a pigsty, as a matter of fact, just the opposite; it is a beautiful home with a lush Hawaiian sanctuary, one that has been open too many and has blessed many. Please don't speak negative about their home because it is not the truth. I have known Dennis to always speak the truth. As for the trial and sentencing of Jonathan that is over what is done is done, we must all move on. We all have our own prices to pay for the actions we take. As far as my household is concerned, the Shields' have always been honest and hard working people with big big hearts, I know of many they have helped and continue to do so. Please do not continue to defame them. Jonathan, I said I would comment regarding these posts and I have. Let it lie and die, it is over. We pray peace and understanding to all. God Bless. John & Rhonda
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Comment #16 posted by FoM on June 18, 2003 at 17:31:50 PT
To All Concerned
I really wish you would take this issue to a private conversation. This news message board is read by many people and this shouldn't be for everyone to read. I didn't delete the thread in hopes it would just stop. I'm hoping it will. I really appreciate people who try to work with me. I don't like needing to be outspoken like this. Thanks in advance.
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Comment #15 posted by Rev Jonathan Adler on June 18, 2003 at 17:10:39 PT:
Last word on Dennis Shields.
For Dennis.......I have Compassion for his hate. Love for his mean-spirit and half-truthfullness. Blessings on his prejudices and healing for his wounds. The truth hurt real bad didn't it Denni?. I can't believe you would drag my wife into this and the statements you make are surely as false as the "witness you bear" against me. Why are you so mad? These people on the net who are concerned about our freedoms don't want to hear your skewed view of my life. Spare them and worry more about what may have been accomplished rather than what scam you feel is being used and by who. I researched the law and used it to support my actions. Why isn't the fact that I raised $2,500 for Dennis' legal defense and tried my best to help his case never been stated? He promised to pay the benefactor back, but never has. I lost a good friend over that one. He trusted me and Dennis let us both down. I propose we try to mind our own business and strengthen this movement instead of tearing it apart. I am who and what I am and what God plans for me is no business of Dennis Shields. I have stuck to my principles and developed a way to traverse the legal highway. And my case is on appeal at the State Supreme Court for 10 months now awaiting oral arguments. Thanks to Rev. Happy and others who see clearly the malice and aforethought of Dennis shields attacks on my character and credibility. He never ran for office as I did, or attempted to help coordinate the several branches of the church. My branch is seperate and distinct as only it has passed the legal test. End game. I may not be responding to any more of Shields tirades that are sure to come. I suggest the webmaster of this site ask him to cease the threats and distasteful banter about me immediately. Peace Out! Rev. Jonathan Adler / East Hawaii Branch/ Religion of Jesus Church. I have done my best, can't please all the people all the time so, go figure. I sleep good and my dogs are well fed and do a great job of warning us when strangers are around. My family member who allegedly complained to Dennis is no other than my alcohoic adopted brother who probably still is not happy about our father disowning him. Actually I hope that part of his story is
like the rest. Tainted by hate and fear of me being right. 
Hawaii Medical Marijuana Institute
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Comment #14 posted by FoM on June 18, 2003 at 12:08:24 PT
RevHappy
Don't try to stir problems. I will delete your comments. Let them work out their issues. It's not our concern. 
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Comment #13 posted by RevHappy on June 18, 2003 at 12:04:10 PT:
I thought This Belonged Seperate
There is no hiding behind religion. To hear that chills me to the core.Who am I to tell you what you beleive?I mean, maybe adler worships money, sex, and weed. You may consider him immoral, but I dont. That would be norml. If he succeeds, it would be a victory for us all. As it would if you did, and as many of us as possible.We are one.Focus. Dude.
Prohibition is a Burka
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Comment #11 posted by Dark Star on June 18, 2003 at 07:07:57 PT

Take It Outside, Boys
FoM is too much of a lady to intervene here, but I will. It is impossible for either of you to make your case here. We do not know what's true and what isn't. The more you fight, the fewer people care. Sorry, but this just isn't pertinent. Take it outside, boys!
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Comment #10 posted by konagold on June 18, 2003 at 03:00:54 PT:

adler lies -- again and again
Aloha adler is lying again That is what one must do to maintain false self impressionsUntil my ministry in 1994 cosponsored the Holy Smoke Cafe with the Hawaiian Hemp Company at the Akibono theater in Pahoa, and concurrently I presented the 4 hour long Holy Smoke Seminar, adler was just a dope growing used car salesman who then suddenly remembered that in 1974 that he used to leach off of the members of the Religion of Jesus Church Divinity School whenever his food stamps would run out or the surf was up; and so he decided to do it some more; He then latched on to what I was doing like the barnacle that he is clinging to my every idea and sooner or later claming it for his own From the beginning he has been overly egocentric, rude, interruptive, childish, and overbearing No wonder the Hilo editorial headline read "Jonathan grow up" after the judge had to threaten to duck tape adler to his chair for his disruptive and childish actions in front of the juryadler is a con man who only cares about his own notoriety and scamming a buck There are dozens of stories about him and folks being ripped off Some bigger than others such as the local lumber yard owner who had to fire a yard manager because adler conned him out of 20,000 worth of lumber that was never paid for As to adler's wife, him, and the general topic of cleanliness, I was disgusted when he dragged me along to the airport to pick up his wife after she had breast enlargement surgery just hours before so that she could make bigger tips lap dancing in Honolulu He admitted to me, bragged even she could "now make 500 a night"; can any one of you imagine Jesus pimping out mother Mary to make a buck??Jesus got women out of the sex trade; adler gets support from his own wife getting into the sex tradeEvil is evil and adler practices eviladler is a greedy hypocrite who can't get his facts straightRoger Christie was indeed assaulted in fount of the county council building, only not by me, I had nothing to do with that event other than to witness its immediate aftermath The individual who was involved is glad to have a restraining order preventing his contact with Roger, however that individual is not meAs to my home being a pigsty it was recently appraised for more than 10 times its original worth when I began building it and everyone who comes to my home remarks on the delight of being here, in fact adler and his lap dancing former wife are the only ones to make such complaint could it be that it is the only thing he can say in retort?? and were it so which it is not, it is far better to have a dirty home than to be a dirty soul adler first ungraciously invited himself to stay overnight at my home and then makes unfounded and delusional judgments about it However when one visits adler's home one is confronted by the smell of too much dog feces with dogs chained every where and patients have complained that they had to wade through tiny yapping dogs to his fount door while adler laughs at them in derision at their discomfort caused only by them coming to him for medicineadler and his wife make foolish life choices they also make 
false judgments in a banal attempt to defend the indefensibleWhile adler was before the bar I did not speak about his apostasy That time has passed I will expose this fraud who has damaged us all just to rip off the sick Especially when he so contemptuously forgets that he only controls his own activities, and attempts to impugn the many other workings of our church of which he has no part and is not wantedAs a surviving parent of a cancer patient -- he who at 7 years of age with 100+ fresh stitches and uncontrollable vomiting -- I -- who experienced as a first hand witness the blessed healing soothing power of just one hit -- am appalled that some one like adler would be such a parasite that he would stand between a patient and their God given relief to the tune of 125% street value AND call himself a student of our divinity school and a minister of the church such is the most disgusting of self serving hypocrisy'sContrary to adler's delusions money is no determiner of sincerity for membership Rather such is only a way for adler to make a buck; That sucking sound is the vacuum created by adler's self serving spinWhen adler would visit the church divinity school he never had to pay for food or lodging or sacramental smoke it was then always freely given whenever he would on sporadic occasions show up to mooch [ he was not the only 'visitor' we served -- at the end of the food stamp cycle we often fed 30 extra mouths ]Said Jesus "Freely you have received, freely give." Also Jesus said to heal the sick; he did not say to rob them to do soThere are many heroic and quietly sincere working members of the church Unfortunately adler is not one of themAs to me being unhappy about my lot in life Absolutely false -think about it five acre farm with two houses in Hawaii 110 miles away from adler -- what's not to be happy about I am very blessed and thank God daily for it Since the hospitality I offered that adler derides me for I have gotten marred -- and he is divorced -- I succeed -- he is a jail bird failure con man who doesn't even know that he has lost his own religion There is not anything lacking in my life The friends which I most value I have as true friends; I love and am loved; I have music and a creative involvement in the changing shape and evolution of our church and best of all I get to serve folks free of chargeI am looking forward to final freedom for all of us in these cannabis warsAlso I recently thanked the judge who presided over my case for giving me a wonderful brag; that I stand convicted of my convictions I have been blessed Since I joined this church in 1973 there have been many conflicts but there is no growth with out conflict and I am blessed in the outcomesAs the Guerrero and Bauer cases show, had the US Supreme Court not found RFRA unconstitutional with regard to the states, my conviction would have been overturned and such may even show cause to have my conviction expunged; adler however made no appeal because he was SELF ADMITTEDLY guilty of profiteering, he is convicted by his own admitting of this evil crime and it ain't the pot that is evil it is the unjust money He robs us all The other side uses this to justify their position adler has given them his greed as a weapon to use against usHe should be scorned by allEvery dollar paid in egregious profit for pot does so at the expense of all of our priceless civil rightsUsing religion as an excuse to make "black market" profits on sacrament has never been legal, as is exampled by wine and prohibition and the catholic church, on the one hand a priest could dole out the Eucharist, it is something different to host a speakeasySomething called fraud Mammon chosen over GodIn adler's greed we witness that which is written in the Scriptures: `My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations, but you have made it a den of robbers.'"The prosecutor was quoted as saying adler hid behind religion to make moneyThe prosecutor is rightAloha
Rev. Dennis [what would John the Baptist do??] Shields
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Comment #9 posted by Rev Jonathan Adler on June 17, 2003 at 23:11:50 PT:

Dennis Shields is NUTS!And his house is a pigstye.
Ok, it is clear from Dennis Shields nasty attacks on my credibility that he is mean spirited, jealous, incomplete and sad about his own lot in life. I feel sorry for him. As for his bearing false witness against me, it is a weak excuse for the truth. I led the way on this religious issue until dennis Shields' son was caught in high school with a molotov cocktail and some of his dad's weed he had stolen from their house. Suddenly he was defending his religious rights to 3 ounces of moldy shake the Police found in his house with a rifle upon serving a search warrant.He was convicted and let free? It was not a victory in any way.
Why? I still wonder how? 
As far as accepting donations, what church doesn't?
I weed out the insincere through my own methods and ask members to assist the church once only with a donation for membership. Doctors in California (Dr. Todd Mikuriya) charge $150 for their exam and prescription, Oregon charges $150 for one year membership and I am the Elder Reverend who has set policy for East Hawaii Branch only. I have no relationship with Dennis Shields and am glad to say so.
He has spurned my attempts to make peace many times and is guilty of roughing up Roger Christie outside the county council room for no reason other than his nasty attitude.
I hate to get into a pissing match, but he brought it on himself. My wife and I spent one night in his "home" years ago and laughed our selves to sleep in the dustiest, stank-iest, dog-hair infested pigpen you have ever seen. We both remember it as the funniest thing that ever happened to us in our whole lives. I hope he cleans up his rhetoric and his house as it is still funky. I suggest he worry about his health and his family and quit casting stones. They all missed the mark. And since when is a Reverend of a legitimate, sincere and sincerely mandated cannanis church guilty of being legal? All of you who seek freedom should think about what I have already done for you. Just a prayer and some words of support would be nice. It seems I have to defend my actions, because all the "bad" precedents set by so-called reverends of alleged religions who have failed miserably in court. I am no better or worse than any other human being in God's eyes, I know that. I can only remain true to my soul and conscience.  I pray for all those who dis-like me and wish them well. Rev. Jonathan Adler
Hawaii Medical Marijuana Institute
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Comment #8 posted by ekim on June 17, 2003 at 19:59:16 PT

where are the garden and herb people
Shields said that the idea that 200 plants is an excessive amount is "simply nuts." Lori Phillips can go through a few plants per day making teas, liniments and extracts, he said.===========who makes oil, or tea or this liniment or extracts. How much does it take to make this stuff, like the root or the flower or the leaves and seeds. Has Canada started to market such products. I have heard of the oil, and here the use as ice cream. It would be nice to get a co-op going here. Buy right from the maker in Canada. Ohio Hempery was the first place i saw hemp oil. I wonder if they would help us become a Co-op. If the savings were good we could send to Librarys info and hold eat ins for informing the people of the Health benifits. If Dennis Kocinich is for med use, I would like for him to be able to be at a event that showed all of the known uses for the plant and who is making money from making them. The CEO of Progressive In. Mr Louis might donate for such an event. 
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Comment #7 posted by konagold on June 17, 2003 at 16:17:36 PT:

swine like money changers
Rev. HappyI respectfully disagreeJesus said to beware of wolves in sheep's clothing; to not cast our pearls before swine; nor to present that which is holy to dogsadler by his actions has shown all that he is a traitor to our cause ADLER WAS NOT INCARCERATED FOR MERE POSSESSIONadler spent time for the crime of profiteering off of sacrament charging as much as he could get; he is just a low life scam artist and modern day money-changer who made his lords house a den of thievesI know where of I speak and not from just me but from many patients who after seeing adler would complain to me about getting ripped off by himWhen adler was charging 125% of street prices other and more honorable church members were giving medicine away to patients as much as 10 pounds one recent seasonfurther he despicably charged folks to become members of the church as much as 150 bucks every other church member has joined for free when once we tried to suggest a 25 dollar donation to join we quickly abandoned that concept as being counter the correct and accepted practice of the church something adler never learned fromwhen money is put in place of righteousness evil is the fruitdo not mistake greed for honorAloha
Rev. Dennis [what would John the Baptist do??]ShieldsPS
i don't sell cannabis, i don't take money for performing church services, tho some donations have been made it has always cost me more to conduct church business than has ever been donated after all it is better to give than receive
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Comment #6 posted by RevHappy on June 17, 2003 at 13:17:18 PT:

Our Own Part...
The ULC has one tenant:We Are OneAs your own minister, YOU decide what your religion requires, not the ULC.REV SHEILDS:
we all contribute in our own way. Larry Flynt may have been self serving, but he got hit for my freedom. Scumbag or saint, I prefer saint in any case.Jesus got busted for sharing the sacrement. Adler for profiting for it. The real shame is that anyone at all gets busted for an herb we should all share.Get it TOGETHER. Stand together, focus on the enemy, and Adler aint it. You ain't either. 
The Church Of Pot 
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Comment #5 posted by konagold on June 17, 2003 at 01:08:37 PT:

correction
ALOHAno the judge did not fine me a hundred bucks -- I got a suspended 90 days and a year probation which was expired before my last appeal ran its course so I was never even drug testedadler on the other hand sold sacramental medicine for 125% of street value and justifiably was sentenced for greed [profiteering] given the evidence of several sales to a nark, and spent six months in jail for hiding behind religion he has done us all a grave disserviceJesus said to heal the sick not to rob them and adler is a parasite of the worst order only concerned for his own ego and his own pocketbook and he told the judge that his branch only had to smoke once a year the judge replied that he needed far less than 89 plants to only have to smoke once a yearadler is a self serving fraud who is scorned by the majority of church membersas to Lee getting busted here -- no his conflict is in Alburn WASH and Adler never did see him in his office as Lee has not been back here for several years adler in this case is lying [see message 16 with regard to the original article about Lee and Lori's arrest]aloha
Rev. Dennis Shields
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Comment #4 posted by afterburner on June 16, 2003 at 21:21:20 PT:

Does Anyone Know...
if the Universal Life Church requires the use of cannabis? Emancipate the holy herb Ganja, Pakalolo.
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Comment #3 posted by drfistusa on June 16, 2003 at 18:36:47 PT:

it's about symbols/religion
the judge in hawaii ruled that since the church did not require the use of cannibis then the religious issue did not apply and fined the minister something like 100$. So now they require use of cannabis. Rev. Alder, on the otherhand, the judge said that he had so many plants that it was commercial promotion and not just possession for religious use, in hawaii under 25 plants is not a felony, it's personal use. 
It's all crazy, yet they ruled that in this district on the federal level and on federal land, use of cannibis by Rastas is protected by freedom of religion, BUT not transportation, 
The Scythien Buddhist church and use of the herb by Caucasian/sythiens dates to 1 century AD. then demonized by the romans, so caucasians have long religious use of cannabis, the rastas only since the early 20 th. century. We just want our religion back , like I say, BEING AGAINST Cannabis, is a religious belief, oppression by a dominator culture and an anti life relgion.
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Comment #2 posted by RevHappy on June 16, 2003 at 14:49:09 PT:

The Goddess Given Herb....
As I understood it, religious use was legalized in Hawaii. How then did a minister get busted there? Federal charges?I think churches have a duty to encourage growing the sacred herb to supply the devout and patients.To me, the Rasta's are the obvious choice for creating buyers clubs. It is the best of both issues....As far as I see it, pot prohibition is just a different type of burka. (Edited) I encourage or support THAT bans? Everything relates to everything, and religion is the full frontal assult we should focus on.I am glad this Rev had the nerve to whip out BOTH middle fingers. What about the lady who said if she is found guilty shell off herself? Extreme, or just a new level?
Free Weed 
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Comment #1 posted by Truth on June 16, 2003 at 09:02:43 PT

Cannabis
The sacred plant.
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