Former Big Isle minister
nabbed in marijuana raid
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.