Cannabis Religious Defendant Convicted of Possession
{Georgetown, CO} — Trevor Douglas, a 25-year-old Avon, Colorado resident, was convicted on the charges of possession of less than one ounce of marijuana and possession of marijuana paraphernalia by Clear Creek County Judge Rachel J. Olguin-Fresquez. He was sentenced to 15 hours of community service and $200 in fines.
Judge Fresquez reasoned that Trevor’s acts were not part of an “organized” religion. She said that what Trevor was engaging in was more philosophical beliefs than organized religion. She said since the Church of Universal Sacraments, a Hilo campus-based church, was now defunct, that Trevor could not claim he was a member. She also said that since Trevor’s affiliation with the THC Ministry came after his arrest, it was not relevant to the case. Judge Fresquez used the Supreme Court decisions of US v Meyers and Cantwell v. State of Connecticut in reaching her verdict.
“The verdict wasn’t what I was looking for,” said Trevor Douglas, “but the judge thought she was doing what was fair in her mind.”
Denver cannabis attorney Rob Corry agreed to represent Trevor at the last minute. “I have no doubt that Trevor is sincere in his religious beliefs,” said attorney Rob Corry. Corry was disappointed in the decision, but said that the judge’s gave valuable information for future cases.
Photos from today’s hearing courtesy of photojournalist Timothy Tipton of News of Cannabis Health. Permission to reprint these photos is granted.
Trevor Douglas (middle) consults with attorney Rob Corry (left)
Trevor Douglas takes the stand
Attorney Robert J. Corry, Jr. defends Trevor Douglas
Trevor Douglas takes the stand
Trevor Douglas interviewed by media afterwards.
From left to right:
Rev. James Marks (THC Ministry – Boulder); Robert Chase (patient advocate); Trevor Douglas; attorney Rob Corry; local THC Ministry member; Rob Corry staff member
For more information, contact:
Roger Christie, THC Ministry, Hilo, HI
(808) 217-9352
info@thc-ministry.org
