Let us Correct a Few things.

[DamienHaze]

I do not know about some of you, but when I started to read this 36 page diatribe against Roger it got me thinking.

If they can what (2 years?) investigating our spiritual pratice and think they understand us, then I say lets burst their bubble. let us examine this a little more...

http://www.wirtshafter.com/cases/Chr...Opposition.pdf
------------------------------------

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF HAWAII
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ) CR. NO. 10-00384 SOM-01
)
Plaintiff, )
)
vs. )
)
ROGER CUSICK CHRISTIE, (01) )
SHERRYANNE L. ST. CYR, (02) )
SUSANNE LENORE FRIEND, (03) )
TIMOTHY M. MANN, (04) )
RICHARD BRUCE TURPEN, (05) )
WESLEY MARK SUDBURY, (06) )
DONALD JAMES GIBSON, (07) )
ROLAND GREGORY IGNACIO, (0 )
PERRY EMILIO POLICICCHIO, (09) ) Hearing Date: 7/16/10 at
JOHN DEBAPTIST BOUEY, III, (10) ) 10:00 a.m. before the Hon.
MICHAEL B. SHAPIRO, (11) ) Alan C. Kay, Senior U.S.
also known as "Dewey", ) District Judge
AARON GEORGE ZEEMAN, (12) )
VICTORIA C. FIORE, (13) )
JESSICA R. WALSH, also (14) )
known as "Jessica Hackman, )
)
Defendants. )
________________________________)

MEMORANDUM IN OPPOSITION TO DEFENDANT CHRISTIE'S
MOTION FOR REVOCATION AND MOTION TO RELEASE DEFENDANT
ON THE BAIL CONDITIONS PROPOSED BY PRETRIAL SERVICES

FLORENCE T. NAKAKUNI #2286
United States Attorney
District of Hawaii
MICHAEL K. KAWAHARA #1460
Assistant U.S. Attorney
Room 6100, Federal Building
300 Ala Moana Blvd.
Honolulu, HI 96850
Mike.Kawahara@usdoj.gov
Attorneys for Plaintiff
United States of America

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE

TABLE OF AUTHORITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i
I. OVERVIEW OF THE CASE: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
II. CHRISTIE AS A DANGER TO THE COMMUNITY, AS EVIDENCED
BY HIS DECISION TO RECOMMENCE THE MINISTRY'S MARIJUANA
TRAFFICKING OPERATIONS AFTER BEING SEARCHED ON MARCH 10,
2010: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
III. COMPREHENDING AND UNDERSTANDING
WHAT CHRISTIE'S MINISTRY WAS ALL about: . . . . . . . . 10
IV. ARGUMENT: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

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i

TABLE OF AUTHORITIES
CASES PAGE(S)

United States v. Acevado-Ramos, 755 F.2d 203
(1st Cir. 1985) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
United States v. Contreras, 776 F.2d 51 (2d Cir. 1985) . . . . 4
United States v. Hurtado, 779 F.2d 1467 (11th Cir. 1985) . . . 4
United States v. Koenig, 912 F.2d 1190 (9th Cir. 1985) . . . 30
United States v. Salerno, 481 U.S. 739 (1987) . . . . . . . . 31
United States v. Suppa, 799 F.2d 115 (3d Cir. 1986) . . . . . . 4
United States v. Vargas, 804 F.2d 175 (1st Cir. 1986) . . . . . 4
United States v. Walker, 808 F.2d 1309 (9th Cir. 1987) . . . 31
United States v. Windsor, 785 F.2d 755 (9th Cir. 1986) . . . 31

STATUTES AND RULES

21 U.S.C. § 853 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
18 U.S.C. § 3142(e)(3)(A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
18 U.S.C. § 3145(B) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1, 30

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MEMORANDUM IN OPPOSITION TO DEFENDANT CHRISTIE'S
MOTION FOR REVOCATION AND MOTION TO RELEASE DEFENDANT
ON THE BAIL CONDITIONS PROPOSED BY PRETRIAL SERVICES

The United States of America, by and through its undersigned
counsel, hereby opposes defendant Roger Cusick Christie's Motion
for Revocation of Detention Order Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3145(B)
and Motion to Release Defendant on the Bail Conditions Proposed
by Pretrial Services", filed July 14, 2010 (hereinafter
"detention appeal"). The United States submits that Magistrate
Judge Chang was entirely correct in finding that Christie was a
danger to the community and detaining him without bail pending
trial.

I. OVERVIEW OF THE CASE

:
During the underlying investigation of the instant case, DEA
utilized Court-authorized wiretaps of three of Christie's
telephones during the period April - July 2009. These three
telephones were:
-Target Telephone 1 (TT1): the THC Ministry's landline;
-Target Telephone 2 (TT2): Christie's residence
landline; and
-Target Telephone 3 (TT3): Christie's cell phone.
On March 10, 2010, DEA effected warranted searches of
Christie's apartment residence and his THC Ministry's business
premises; in addition, ten (10) different residences of
Christie's marijuana suppliers were also searched on this same
date. As will be described later herein, marijuana and suspected

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1

Defendant St. Cyr is Christie's girlfriend and business
partner at the Ministry. Both reside together at Christie's
condominium apartment (#312, 360 Kauila St., Hilo, HI).
2
cash proceeds were seized from Christie's residence and business
premises on March 10, 2010.
A secret Indictment was returned on June 24, 2010.
The arrests of the fourteen (14) defendants named in the
Indictment occurred on July 8, 2010.
As will be discussed later herein, it was also believed that
sometime after the March 10, 2010 searches, Christie elected to
recommence his marijuana trafficking activities at his THC
Ministry. This Court also issued warrants authorizing the
searches of Christie's residence and his THC Ministry, which also
occurred on July 8, 2010 concurrent with his arrest. Marijuana
and cash proceeds were again recovered from Christie's premises.
In the Indictment returned June 24, 2010, the following
fourteen (14) defendants were charged with various marijuana
manufacture and trafficking offenses:
-Leaders of the THC Ministry/Hawaii Cannabis Ministry
(hereinafter "Ministry"):
(01) ROGER CUSICK CHRISTIE (hereinafter
"Christie");
(02) SHERRYANNE L. ST. CYR (hereinafter "St.
Cyr");1

-Growers at Christie's intended "Ministry farm", 2009:
(03)

SUSANNE LENORE FRIEND (hereinafter "Friend");

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2

Defendants Friend and Mann are husband and wife, residing
at their farm/residence in Honokaa, HI.
3
(04) TIMOTHY M. MANN (hereinafter "Mann");2

-Other persons who supplied the Ministry with processed
marijuana and/or grew marijuana plants for Christie in 2009:
(05)

RICHARD BRUCE TURPEN (hereinafter "Turpen");
(06) WESLEY MARK SUDBURY (hereinafter "Sudbury");
(07) DONALD JAMES GIBSON (hereinafter "Gibson");
(0 ROLAND GREGORY IGNACIO (hereinafter
"Ignacio");
(09) PERRY EMILIO POLICICCHIO (hereinafter
"Policicchio");
(10) JOHN DEBAPTIST BOUEY, III (hereinafter
"Bouey");
(11) MICHAEL B. SHAPIRO, also known as "Dewey"
(hereinafter "Shapiro");
(12) AARON GEORGE ZEEMAN (hereinafter "Zeeman");
-Two former employees of the Ministry:
(13) VICTORIA C. FIORE (hereinafter "Fiore"),
(14) JESSICA R. WALSH, also known as "Jessica
Hackman" (hereinafter "Walsh").
As averred in the "Ways and Means" provision in Count 1 of the
Indictment (charging conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and
possess with intent to distribute 100+ marijuana plants):
Conducting his operation as the 'THC Ministry' or 'Hawaii
Cannabis Ministry' (hereinafter 'Ministry') located in Hilo,
Hawaii, Christie, with the assistance of St. Cyr, engaged in
the illegal manufacture, distribution, and sale of

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3

Counts 2 and 3 allege the 284 marijuana plant cultivation
operation which law enforcement officers discovered at the
Friend-Mann residence on July 22, 2009.

4

A Federal Grand Jury's return of an Indictment, based upon
probable cause, will independently trigger the Bail Reform Act's
rebuttable presumption. United States v. Vargas, 804 F.2d 175
(1st Cir. 1986), United States v. Contreras, 776 F.2d 51 (2d Cir.
1985), United States v. Suppa, 799 F.2d 115 (3d Cir. 1986),
United States v. Hurtado, 779 F.2d 1467 (11th Cir. 1985).
4
marijuana. Christie and St. Cyr had several employees (as
Fiore and Walsh) who worked at the Ministry's business
premises and assisted in the distribution and sale of
marijuana.
In order to obtain his marijuana sales inventory, Christie
had several suppliers, as well as other persons growing
marijuana for him, on the Island of Hawaii. During 2009,
Christie's marijuana suppliers and other persons growing
marijuana for him included Turpen, Sudbury, Gibson, Ignacio,
Policicchio, Bouey, Shapiro, and Zeeman.
Sometime in 2009, Christie also recruited Friend and Mann to
start up a marijuana cultivation operation for the Ministry
on the Island of Hawaii; the plan was for all of Friend and
Mann's harvested marijuana to be provided to the Ministry.
As of July 22, 2009, Friend and Mann had approximately 284
marijuana plants under cultivation.
Christie is currently charged in Counts 1, 2, and 3 of the
Indictment with felony marijuana offenses involving 100+
marijuana plants.3 If convicted, Christie faces a statutory
imprisonment term of 5 - 40 years for each of these counts. As
such, and given the Grand Jury's return of the Indictment herein,
the rebuttable presumption in favor of pretrial detention set
forth in the Bail Reform Act is fully applicable to Christie. See
18 U.S.C. § 3142(e)(3)(A).4

In addition, in the "Forfeiture Allegation" of the

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5
Indictment, notice has been given of the United States' intent to
seek forfeiture of Christie's residence (#312, 360 Kauila St.,
Hilo, HI), as well as of $21,494 in U.S. currency found in his
joint possession with St. Cyr, as proceeds of the alleged
offenses and/or used to facilitate the commission of said crimes,
pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 853.
This $21,494 in cash subject to forfeiture consisted of the
following: $9,096 found in a bedroom safe in Christie's residence
on March 10, 2010, and an additional $12,398 found in a safety
deposit box rented by Christie and St. Cyr at the Hilo branch of
American Savings Bank on the same date (3/10/10).

II. CHRISTIE AS A DANGER TO THE COMMUNITY, AS EVIDENCED
BY HIS DECISION TO RECOMMENCE THE MINISTRY'S MARIJUANA
TRAFFICKING OPERATIONS AFTER BEING SEARCHED ON MARCH 10, 2010

:
In the proceedings below, at the detention hearing on July
13, 2010, Magistrate Judge Chang ordered Christie's detention
without bail. In support thereof, Magistrate Judge Chang found
that Christie was a danger to the community and that no
conditions/combination of conditions could assure the safety of
the community. Of particular importance to Magistrate Chang's
decision was Christie's conscious decision to recommence the
Ministry's marijuana trafficking activities after March 10, 2010.
On March 10, 2010, Federal law enforcement officers searched
the Ministry's business premises (located at 94 Kamehameha
Avenue, Hilo, HI), Christie's residence, and Christie/St. Cyr's

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5

A listing of the marijuana products available for sale at
the Ministry will be provided later in this memorandum.

6

This was generally consistent with what Christie later
related to this Court's Pretrial Services Division post-arrest.
As indicated in the Pretrial Services Report, Christie identified
the "THC Ministry" as his employer, and he stated that "he has
been operating the THC Ministry for the past ten years. He
declined to provide his income, but informs he puts all of his
earnings back into the ministry".
6
safety deposit box. At that time, about 12 live marijuana
plants, marijuana seeds, and various liquids in vials suspected
to contain marijuana by-products (as tinctures and oils) were
found and recovered at the Ministry's business premises.5 Aside
from the cash discussed above, approximately 845 grams of
processed marijuana (453.6 grams = one pound) and various
bottles/jars containing suspected marijuana tinctures and oils
were also seized from Christie's residence.
Christie also agreed to be interviewed by law enforcement
officers on March 10, 2010; with regards to the $21,494 found in
his residence and safety deposit box, Christie stated that all of
this cash was derived from the Ministry. Christie also said that
he devoted all of his time and effort into the Ministry.6

Neither Christie nor St. Cyr were arrested on March 10,
2010. However, all of Christie's known marijuana inventory,
proceeds, and other contraband had been removed from Christie's
Ministry and residence on that date.
Subsequent to March 10, 2010, it was learned that Christie

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7

There is a sign posted on the building's wall next to this
stairwell door, which reads : THC Ministry, open Mon - Fri 2 - 5,
(80 217-9352 [this being the Ministry's landline]".

8

It should be noted that Christie and St. Cyr were out-oftown
for a comparable period of time [one year earlier] in June
2009 and had similarly closed the Ministry during that absence.
[The implication of this posted note, of course, was that the
Ministry had been open for business sometime prior to June 19,
2010].
7
had re-opened the Ministry and appeared to again be engaging in
his prior activities. As described in the underlying
application/affidavit for warrants to search the Ministry and his
residence in July 2010:
8. On Friday, July 2, 2010, two officers conducted
surveillance in the vicinity of the Ministry business
premises (94 Kamehameha Ave, Hilo). As described later in
this Affidavit's "premises description", the Ministry's
business premises take up the entire second floor of the
building located at this address. There is a stairwell
fronting on Kamehameha Avenue (with a lockable front door)
which gives access to the second floor. Windows of certain
of the Ministry's second floor offices also face Kamehameha
Ave. The Ministry's normal operating hours were about 2:00
- 5:00 p.m.7 On July 2, 2010, the officers observed the
following, among other things:
(A) At about 1:30 p.m., the Ministry's second
floor windows fronting on Kamehameha Avenue were open and
indoor-type plants had been placed along the window sill (so
they could get sunlight and air). This indicated that
someone was present in the Ministry business premises at
this time.
(B) There was also a sign placed on a placard next
to the Ministry's stairway door. That sign read: "We will
be closed from June 19 - July 1. We will be opened July 2,
Mahalo".8

(C) At about 1:45 p.m., four persons were standing
near the ground floor doorway for the stairs leading to the
Ministry business premises, with the appearance that they

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8
were waiting for the Ministry to open. At about 1:50 p.m.,
that door opened, and all four persons entered through that
doorway.
(D) At one point during the afternoon, Roger
Christie was also observed to be present at the Ministry,
seen through the second floor windows. In addition, through
the second floor windows, two adult males and one adult
female could also be seen in the Ministry's business
premises and gave the appearance of being employees. As
customers disappeared from view into the stairway at ground
level, these customers again could then be seen through the
second floor windows and these two adult males/female seemed
to be greeting them.
(E) The officers continued their surveillance
until about 3:30 p.m. on July 2, 2010. During the
approximately 1½ hour time period they were surveilling the
Ministry business premises, approximately 20 persons entered
the ground floor door for the stairway leading to the
Ministry business premises.
* * *
10. On Tuesday, July 6, 2010, a federal law
enforcement officer conducted surveillance of the Ministry
business premises from about 1:35 p.m. to 5:10 p.m. This
officer, among other things, observed the following:
(A) The stairway door leading upstairs to the
Ministry business premises was opened at about 2:05 p.m. At
this time, there were seven persons lined up on the
sidewalk; once the door opened, they all proceeded upstairs
to the Ministry.
(B) At or about 2:56 p.m., one customer exited
from the Ministry stairway and then proceeded on a bicycle
to the vicinity where the surveillance officer was located.
Within hearing distance of the officer, a second customer
approached the bicycle-riding customer and asked is he in?
(or words to that effect); the bicycle-riding customer
answered affirmatively. The second customer then smiled and
clapped his hands together; this second customer then
proceeded to the stairway and went upstairs to the Ministry.
At about 3:07 p.m., this second customer exited the Ministry
stairway and then went into the nearby Hilo Tobacco Company
[presumably to purchase cigarette papers or other
paraphernalia]. At about 3:17 p.m., that second customer

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9

The Pretrial Services Report at 3 referred to this amount
as "$4,000 to $5,000"; however, the exact amount is $5,512.00.
9
exited from the tobacco shop, accompanied by another person
who the officer had previously observed entering the
Ministry stairway; as the second customer and other person
exited the tobacco shop together, that other person was now
carrying a large shopping bag (which the officer had not
seen in his possession earlier).
(C) At about 4:04 p.m., a female entered the
Ministry stairway; within minutes thereafter, she exited
from the stairway and proceeded directly to the Hilo Tobacco
Company, where she entered at about 4:08 p.m.
(D) At about 4:26 p.m., an adult female (with two
teenaged children in her vehicle) parked on the street in
front of the Ministry stairway. The juvenile male–- who
from his physical appearance appeared to be less than 18
years old-- then got out of the vehicle and entered the
Ministry stairway. At about 4:32 p.m., that juvenile male
then exited from the stairway and got back into the vehicle.
The vehicle then drove off.
(E) During the period of this surveillance (1:35
p.m. - 5:10 p.m.), the officer observed about 42 different
persons enter and/or exit the Ministry stairway.
As hereinbefore indicated, on July 8, 2010, Christie and St.
Cyr were arrested pursuant to the aforesaid Indictment; in
addition, search warrants for Christie's residence and the
Ministry premises were also executed on this date (7/8/10).
Slightly over one pound of processed marijuana and approximately
$5,512 in U.S. currency9 were recovered from Christie's
residence, and small amounts of marijuana were also found at the
Ministry.

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10

III. COMPREHENDING AND UNDERSTANDING
WHAT CHRISTIE'S MINISTRY WAS ALL ABOUT

:
Christie has described himself as an ordained “cannabis
sacrament minister” and the founder of the THC Ministry/Hawaii
Cannabis Ministry (hereinafter "Ministry"). The Ministry’s
business premises is located at 94 Kamehameha Avenue, Hilo, HI.
Co-defendant Sherryanne L. St Cyr ("St. Cyr") is Christie’s
girlfriend and business associate in the Ministry. Both Christie
and St. Cyr reside at 360 Kauila Street, #312, Hilo, HI. There
is also an internet website for the Ministry (www.thcministry.
org). According to the Ministry's website:
Cultivation and enjoyment of Cannabis sacrament is a
fundamental human right provided by God and protected by the
First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. It is our opinion
that Cannabis is the original sacrament of Hebrew, Muslim,
Christian, Hindu, Shinto, Buddhist, Rasta and more, and
fulfills the prophesies to ‘raise up for them a plant of
renown...’
Like the stone of the Bible that the builders rejected, the
sacramental use of Cannabis is the cornerstone of the THC
Ministry. Our Ministry helps to build your mana by
providing a real education in practical Cannabis
spirituality. Among other wonderful things, our Ministry
helps to protect you from arrest, prosecution and/or
conviction of ‘marijuana’ charges – wherever you live –
starting as soon as you sign-up, become ordained and receive
your ministry documents. We provide a legitimate religious
‘defense to prosecution’ for sincere practitioners over 21
years old. [Underline and boldfacing added].
Becoming a "Minister" in the Ministry was simplicity itself,
which Christie himself extolled in an article he wrote and posted
on the Ministry website entitled "You can be a minister, too".

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11
In this article, Christie explained the process of becoming a
minister as follows:
The fast, easy, free and effective way to become ordained as
a Minister is to go online, or call by telephone:
(1) Go to <www.ulchq.com.>, or call the Universal Life
Church at (209) 527-8111. Ask them to ordain you as a
Minister, and to please send you a 'letter of good standing'
along with a beginners packet.
(2) To legitimize your new Ministry, I recommend that
you become licensed by the State of Hawaii to legally marry
people. It's easy, it's free and it lasts for life. All
you need are three things [that is, (i) filling out the
application, (ii) providing appropriate identification, and
(iii) the letter of good standing from the Universal Life
Church].
There is zero credit or background check involved. Everyone
qualifies.
The highlighted portion of the website quotation previously
referenced best described one of the principal purposes of
Christie’s Ministry, namely, to construct a religious defense to
counter arrest and prosecution for marijuana crimes. A former
Ministry employee, defendant Jessica Walsh ("Jessica"), expressly
reiterated this particular purpose during an intercepted
telephone call on 6/24/09, wherein she (Jessica) was attempting
to recruit “V” as a new member. See Call #8342, Target Telephone
1. In this call, “V” had initially asked “is Roger [that is,
Christie] in?” and explained that “somebody told me that you can
get your marijuana license through him.” Jessica asked if “V”
was a member, to which the latter replied in the negative.
Jessica then asked if “V” was “interested in becoming [a] member

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10

In 2009, there was a $50 "donation" to join the Ministry.
However, most recently, the Ministry's website advertised "Aloha,
become a member of the THC Ministry for free".
12
here?" and “V” replied “yes,” and further inquired “what does
this help us do?” Jessica then explained:
[W]ell, if you, ah, basically our membership is not medical
marijuana. We’re not a dispensary, um, we’re not a church.
We are a ministry. Um, there is a fifty-dollar honorary
donation, ah, to become a member here. But it’s a lifelong
membership. Um, it’s basically a defense to prosecution.
Um, we are going on the angle on our constitutional rights
as our freedom of religion, ah, and we use cannabis
religiously. So that is our, basically defense to
prosecution. Um, we do have a lot of members here that give
testimonies all the time. Ah, if they were stopped by
police or anything like that. They were able to show ‘em
our card [that is, membership card] and be let go and not be
arrested. Um, it doesn’t happen all the time, but it does
help if you’re growing over the legal limit
[unintelligible].
However, there was a second, more sinister purpose of the
Ministry, which Jessica also included in her membership
recruitment pitch to "V":

Um, but being a member here, um, it’s a, you’re able to pick
up your sacrament here, um, instead being on the streets

.
Ah, we help medical marijuana patients, so because there is
not acting dispensary here on the Big Island or any of the
islands for that matter as well. [emphasis added].
In short, the two primary purposes of Christie's Ministry were:
(1) to distribute marijuana (code-named "sacrament") to anyone
willing to become Ministry members;10 and (2) to provide its
members with a so-called religious defense to arrest/prosecution
for marijuana offenses.
Defendant St. Cyr was also deeply involved with Christie in

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13
the Ministry's business and at one point, was running the
Ministry while Christie convalesced at home with a broken ankle
during 2009. St. Cyr's description of how the Ministry operated
its "distribution" side during an intercepted telephone call with
"A" was very telling indeed (Call #2997, TT1), as follows:
A: California is really going towards, ah, legalizing it
[marijuana]. In fact, certain parts of it is, is, in
California is legal and people are making a fortune on it.
They had it on, on, television, that these guys, they, all
you have to do is get a note from your doctor and go in
there and buy it. You’ve heard of that?
St. Cyr: Of course. This is my field, honey.
A: Yeah, this is your new field [laughter].
St. Cyr: So I mean, you know, so what I was going to tell
you was because he [Christie] broke his foot, I’ve been
running the Ministry and I see–
A: Oh.
St. Cyr: Seventy people a day.
A: Ooh. That, in counseling or are they lectures?
St. Cyr: Mostly counseling, but mostly I’m distributing.
A: Distributing the cannabis?
St. Cyr: Right.
A: And do, do they have to have a prescription for it?
St. Cyr: No.
A: Then, can, and uh–
St. Cyr: They just become a member.
A: Oh. Become a member and you could use because it’s
medicinal?

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14
St. Cyr: Because, because, we we’re, Roger’s on, uh,
religious rights.
A: Oh, okay.
St. Cyr also made it perfectly clear in this call to "A" that the
Ministry was supporting itself by selling marijuana to its
members (these sales being code-named “donations”):
A: And, and where does the money come from? From selling
the cannabis?
St. Cyr: From the donations from the cannabis.
A: From the donat– well, they donate money to buy the
cannabis?
St. Cyr: Right.
Andy: But there’s no price attached to it. It’s a
contribution?
St. Cyr: We have a suggested donation.
A: Oh, yeah, right.
St. Cyr: That’s how you, that's how you, you know.
A: Yeah, of course. And the, financially, it, it works out
real well?
St. Cyr: Yeah, and, and, you know, we see, only ten percent
of our clients are, are medical marijuana patients.
A: Oh.
St. Cyr: The other ninety is, members.
A: Members. Okay. Now, who grows the cannabis?
St. Cyr: We have various people starting to do it.
A: Oh, oh, I see. You got, in other words, you gotta, it’s
suppliers in Hawaii that grow it?
St. Cyr: Yeah.

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11

St. Cyr also made it clear in other telephone calls that
nothing is free at the Ministry. For example, on 4/21/09, in
Call #335, TT2, a caller indicated that her boyfriend had lost
his Ministry membership card and wanted it replaced. St Cyr then
(continued...)
15
A: And then you, you’re able to purchase it or bought or
whatever you do.
St. Cyr: Yeah.
That these so-called "suggested donations" were in fact prices
for marijuana products was further made clear in another
intercepted call which St. Cyr had with former Ministry employee
Victoria Fiore ("Victoria") on 4/16/09, wherein St. Cyr expressed
her concern about seeing written price lists on the Ministry
premises:
St. Cyr: ... The one thing, and I did leave a note for
Heather [another Ministry employee at that time] about, um,
no more of those numbers. I don’t care if it’s for Ann
[another Ministry employee at that time]. I don’t want to
see any of those around, and Roger [that is, Christie]
already said something about.
Victoria: No more, what, what, what numbers? What are you
talking about?
St. Cyr: The piece of paper that says how much things are.
Victoria: Oh, that has to go?
St. Cyr: No way, no way, if we ever got, no way, absolutely.
Victoria: Okay.
St. Cyr: And especially anything with a dollar sign on it.
Victoria: Now, what do we tell people then that are asking,
how much the something costs?
St. Cyr: You memorize it.11

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(...continued)
provided the Ministry’s telephone number and advised to make an
appointment there for a new card. St Cyr also added “and give a
donation for that.”
16
Moreover, on many occasions Christie himself answered the
Ministry landline telephone (TT1) and during these calls, he made
it quite clear that the marijuana was for sale. For example, in
Call #2480, TT1, 4/21/09, a customer identifying himself as “R”
said “I need to get a bag of sacrament [code-word for marijuana
buds] from Roger.” Shortly thereafter, Christie telephoned "R"
back (see Call #2482, TT1, 4/21/09) and the following discussion
occurred:
R: Listen, I’d like to, um, get some sacrament.
Christie: Cool, we got some.
R: Okay.
Christie: Donation bag or purchase?
R: Purchase.
Christie: Cool, how much would you like?
"R" then said he preferred not to talk on the telephone and asked
to come to the Ministry immediately.
Likewise, in Call #3293, TT1, on 4/25/09, customer "F" asked
Christie “what is the donation going for?” Christie replied
“fifty [that is, $50] an eighth [that is, 1/8 ounce or 3.5
grams], a hundred [$100] a quarter [that is, 1/4 ounce] for, for
grade A.”

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12

That is to say, in order to rationalize why he was
selling at "normal retail" of $400 per ounce, Christie was
explaining to "D" that he acquired his marijuana inventory at a
wholesale price of $281.25 - $312.50 per ounce (converting the
unit "per pound" prices to their respective "per ounce" prices).
Actual wholesale purchase prices for the marijuana buds
which Christie acquired from some of his suppliers during 2009
were as follows:
-From defendant Ignacio: $250 - 300 per ounce
-From defendant Zeeman: $2,200 per ½ pound ($275 per
ounce), $1,150 per 1/4 pound ($287.50 per ounce).
-From defendant Shapiro: two pounds at $3,900 each
($243.73 per ounce); $250 per ounce for a purchase of 11-12
ounces.
-From defendant Sudbury: $4,000 - 4,200 per pound
($262.50 - $250 per ounce).
17
Furthermore, in Call #1751, TT2, on 5/18/09, Christie spoke
to a person named "D". Christie advised that the Ministry was
open from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., and “so you’re welcome to, to go
by there and make a donation. We’ve got some, some free bags of,
aloha bags of some pretty good shake, and we have some triple A
bud.” "D" then asked “at regular, um, donation prices?” and
Christie replied “yeah.” "D" then inquired “how much for a, for
an ounce?” and Christie said “four hundred [that is, $400].” "D"
remarked “wow, that’s high,” and Christie answered “it’s retail,”
and added “normal retail. You know, we buy it, you know, at
forty five hundred, five grand a pound, so.”12

In this connection, it was not necessary to have any
spiritual blessing or other arguably religious experience at the

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18
Ministry in order to obtain the marijuana "sacrament", because
the Ministry had instituted "express" service to expedite its
distribution of marijuana. Former employee Victoria explained
this to customer "J" during an intercepted telephone call (see
Call #1847, TT1, 4/17/09) after "J" inquired what "express" was.
Victoria replied: "um, basically, if you don't wanna have to, if
you don't wanna sit down, talk to Roger, you can just come on in,
make a donation and pick up your sacrament".
Intercepted telephone calls indicated that Christie was
offering a variety of marijuana products at the Ministry,
available at the following "donation" prices:
-"Sacrament" (that is, female marijuana flower "buds",
which are the most prized part of the marijuana plant due to its
high THC content): $50 per 1/8 ounce (3.5 grams), $100 per 1/4
ounce, $400 per ounce.
-"Shake" (that is, the stems and leaves of the
marijuana plant, which were less valuable due to the lower THC
content), which were available in either "twenty bags [$20]" or
"aloha bags [for a more minimal donation amount of a couple
dollars]".
-Anointing oil (to ingest THC through the skin): $20
for the small bottle, $50 for the large bottle.
-Tinctures (THC in liquid form, to be taken orally), in

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13

In one call, Christie explained to customer "B" how to
use tinctures as follows (see Call #2034, TT1, 4/18/09): "you
carry [it] in your purse, you can dose yourself at the movie
theater, at the restaurant, you know what I mean? You just take
out the bottle and give a drop on your tongue and away you go,
nobody even looks at you".
19
both an alcoholic and non-alcohol form: $60 for either.13

-Edibles, such as brownies and ganja balls ($5 each).
In addition, live marijuana plants and marijuana seeds were also
available at the Ministry for a "donation". As Christie bragged
during Call #9521, TT1, on July 9, 2009:
[The Ministry was] only open to serve, um, our people, our
practitioners here Monday, Wednesday, Friday from two to
five. So, during this time, we serve about fifty or seventy
people and we dispense cannabis. So that's, so yeah, we go
through, ah, easily a half a pound a day in three hours.
And we, we, this is taking packets away, during this time,
two to five, Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Then they can take
live plants away. We have clones, we have seeds, we have
candy, we have brownies and chocolate chip cookies, all with
cannabis. We have tinctures made with cognac or vegetable
glycerin, the non-alcohol kind.
Christie's Ministry also offered for sale certain, arguably
non-contraband products, as for example, the "Sanctuary Kit", for
a donation price of $250.00. However, these products were
expressly intended to aid and abet the manufacture and
distribution of marijuana. As described on the Ministry website:
Our Cannabis Sanctuary Kit provides you with proof of your
legitimacy as a religious practitioner of Cannabis
Sacrament. You become a full supporting member of the THC
Ministry the moment you receive your Cannabis Sanctuary Kit
. . . .
To protect your sacred plants and sacrament: One of the
'plant tags' can be put in your container of Sacrament.

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14

These plant tags–- designed to either be inserted into
plastic bags of processed marijuana, or affixed to live plants
themselves, read as follows:
On one side: "We use cannabis religiously and you can too".
On the other side: "sacred plant and sacrament. It's the
high that heals. Thank you for honoring all of my human, civil
and religious rights and powers, as I honor yours".
20
Other tags can be placed on the stems of cannabis plants in
your private garden home. These tags work in a similar
fashion as a prescription label on medicines.[14]
To protect your home and garden: One Sanctuary sign can be
framed and hung inside your front door or kept in private.
Another Sanctuary sign can be framed and hung inside your
greenhouse. These Sanctuary Signs designate your home and
garden as a 'place of Refuge' for the practice of cannabis
spirituality and are legal notification if law enforcement
ever visits.
To protect your body: The THC Ministry identification card
is to be signed, laminated and kept in your wallet or purse.
It will protect your use of cannabis sacrament in any of the
50 United States and elsewhere throughout the world.
It should be noted that all of Christie's defendant-suppliers in
this case were Ministry members, and when their respective
residences were searched by law enforcement officers on March 10,
2010, their growing areas utilized Christie's Sanctuary Kit
paraphernalia, as e.g., the Sanctuary Sign being posted in the
indoor grow areas, as well as use of the plant tags.
More recently in 2010, the Ministry was now offering on its
website a new product called the "Congregation Kit" for a
donation price of $1,000.00. According to the Website, this
Congregation Kit:

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21
combines our Sanctuary Kit with the following additions: 1
Minister-size bottle of Holy Anointing Oil (Made Prayerfully
with the ancient and sacred recipe of Exodus 30:23); 1
bottle of Cognac and Cannabis Tincture (Made prayerfully
with Grand Marnier and Chambord, both premium label French
cognacs + an organic Hawaiian Cannabis flower bud); 1 bottle
Sweet Cannabis Tincture (Non-alcoholic. Made prayerfully
from vegetable glycerin + a premium organic Hawaiian
cannabis flower); 12 Practitioner Kits".
Moreover, all of the counseling, education and services
provided by Christie's Ministry were similarly for the express
purpose of aiding and abetting in the manufacture/distribution of
marijuana. In October 2009, Christie opened the "Hawaii Cannabis
College" on the first floor of the building in which the
Ministry's business premises was located (on the second floor).
Quoting directly from the Hawaii Cannabis College website located
at www.hawaiicannabiscollege.org:
The Hawaii Cannabis Ministry (aka THC Ministry) and the
Reverend Roger Christie would like to invite medical
marijuana patients, caregivers, and members of the THC
Ministry to the 2

nd Cannabis College on Saturday November
14, 2009 from 10:00 am - 4:20 pm.
You are invited to attend Cannabis College and learn to grow
the ganja garden of your dreams. Some of the best cannabis
growers on the Big Island will demonstrate their techniques
for growing the highest quality medicine and sacrament.
The classes will include lighting, cloning, fertilizing,
harvesting, curing, and more. . . . . Your $100 donation
will include classes, great teachers, and a catered hemp
seed lunch. [emphasis added]
The website also contained photographs taken at the first
Cannabis College session held in October 2009. That first
session was described on the website as being "an incredible day

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22
as Big Island Teachers shared their knowledge of cannabis growing
and enjoyment with students eager to learn". Among the posted
photographs was one of Wesley Sudbury-- that is, one of
Christie's marijuana suppliers and charged as a defendant
herein–- and his girlfriend apparently teaching in front of the
class. The caption to this photograph read "the Hawaii Cannabis
College had the privilege to be able to present such great
teachers such as Michelle and Wes who are experts in meditation
and agriculture".
In addition, Christie also appeared to be hosting several
"experts from the Netherlands" who specialized in indoor
marijuana cultivation, and he (Christie) had arranged to have
them speak at the Ministry on the night of July 2, 2009. Among
the persons to whom Christie extended invitations to attend this
session were defendants Susanne Friend and Timothy Mann (who, as
alleged in the Indictment, were operating the Ministry's
marijuana farm). Christie also told Friend that even if they
could not attend the session, ". . . we're going to tape it so,
so we, we'll get it to you either way. Don't stress. I mean,
either way you're going to get this much knowledge as we can
transfer to you". See Call #746, TT3, and Call #3303, TT2. In
other words, whatever training and educational benefits Christie
could provide to his marijuana suppliers through the Ministry
also inured to his benefit, in that those suppliers' harvested

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23
product would be of higher quality and more readily salable by
Christie.
In addition, as indicated on the Ministry's website,
Christie was a long-time supporter of the "lowest law enforcement
priority of cannabis ordinance" (hereinafter "marijuana
ordinance"), which was approved by the voters of Hawaii County as
an amendment to the Hawaii County Code in the November 2008
general election. While arguably Christie's support and advocacy
of the marijuana ordinance was merely an exercise of his freedom
of speech, this superficial observation is not accurate. In
truth, Christie had a hidden agenda in supporting the marijuana
ordinance, namely, to enhance his marijuana sources of supply.
Section 5 of the marijuana ordinance purported to make the
cultivation, possession and use for adult personal use of
cannabis (marijuana) the lowest law enforcement priority in
Hawaii County; the ordinance did not apply to the distribution
and sale of marijuana. The marijuana ordinance’s definition of
"lowest law enforcement priority" also stated that:
The Lowest Law Enforcement Priority regarding possession or
cultivation of Cannabis shall apply to any single case
involving 24 (twenty four) or fewer Cannabis plants at any
stage of maturity or the equivalent in dried Cannabis, where
the Cannabis was intended for adult personal use. [emphasis
added]
Christie's view was that with the marijuana ordinance's
enactment, it was now lawful for each person in Hawaii County to
cultivate up to 24 marijuana plants, and in a telephone call with

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24
"J" on April 17, 2009 (Call #269, TT2), Christie explained his
thinking and strategy to use this ordinance to his benefit to
alleviate his supply problems, as follows: "and so I’m thinking
how to step it up another notch, uh, forward, and that’s to, like
for instance, your situation or somebody else’s, let, let some
people know that the Ministry needs more herb, but our new law
passed in November allowing 24 plants per adult, in private, at
home.” The following discussion then occurred later in this
call:
J: Um, yeah, so the use’s and all that, but the supply,
yeah, that's the thing, that's the key thing.
Christie: That’s the trick, you know, I’m allowed to
have a farm, but I'm too busy to have one and I don’t
have the finances to have one, so if somebody else has
a location, then I’ll be happy to, you know, put my
stamp of approval on it and, uh, you, you know, make,
make it happen now.
* * *
Christie: Yeah, so what I, I wanted to express here,
too, is that besides the Ministry, just, you know,
doing our, our simple, you know, daily sacraments and
services, because ballot question 1 [that is, the
marijuana ordinance] was approved, it's 24 plants per
adult here. Um, it’s private at home, but there's no
commerce allowed with it.
J: No commerce allowed with it.
Christie: Right, it’s not allowed to be grown for sale.
So this, this is [where] the Ministry comes in. I
think my license allows me to accept offerings of that
backyard produce.
J: Uh, huh.
Christie: And then offer something back to the, uh, to

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25
the, to the grower. So...
J: Okay.
Christie: So I’m, I’m just, I’m exploring this
possibility here, how to take people’s backyard profit
centers, or the potential profit center in somebody’s
backyard, and turn it into, you know, make it more
legit through the Ministry, and that the Ministry would
make medicine, we would weigh it and grade and process
it and make medicine and sacrament with it, and provide
it under a, a Ministry label to Ministry members.
* * *
Christie: ... [y]ou know, like you have a little bit of
property and other people have a little bit of
property, and you know, maybe wanna tend to, you know,
have a whole cultivation situation, uh, if there’s
extra [that is, growing in excess of 24 marijuana
plants] and you’re looking for another choice of what
to do with your extra, I think you can offer it to the
Ministry.
J: Right.
Christie: And that, that we will offer a check back to
the, to people. It won’t be black market prices,
however.
J: Right, right.
Christie: You know, because we’re looking for sincerity
and we’re looking, you know, to break the black market
on this one.
[emphasis added]
Lastly, Christie has utilized his "Minister"-status for some
highly questionable purposes on at least two instances. First,
Christie offered to hide the marijuana stash of a Ministry member
who was being sought by the police. On June 28, 2009, Ministry
member "J" telephoned Christie (Call #3145, TT2); in this call,

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26
"J" advised that according to his friend "they said they got a
whole bunch of cops out there looking for me. What do I do?"
Christie then inquired "what you got on ya?", and "J" replied
"um, I got some herbs and a bong (commonly-used slang for a
pipe)". Christie then suggested "why don't you drop it off here
first?", to which "J" said "to come to you first?"; Christie then
said "yeah, you don't wanna?", and "J" answered "all right, I'll
be over there to you first. I'll go come from the back way".
On another occasion, Christie attempted to use his
"Minister" status to assist in an effort to have incriminating
evidence removed from Ministry-member "N's" residence before the
police could find it. On Thursday, April 30, 2009, "N" had been
arrested by HCPD Officers after finding about 2½ pounds of
marijuana in the vehicle he was driving; because "N" was pending
criminal charges for other felony marijuana offenses and was then
released on state bail, "N" was held in detention over the
ensuing weekend (May 2 - 3, 2009) at the Kailua-Kona HCPD
station. During Call #707, TT2, on May 1, 2009, Christie was
discussing with another person named "R" about how the police had
found the marijuana in "N's" vehicle during a traffic stop. "R"
then inquired "what about the residence?", to which Christie
replied "I don't think that's connected in any way here, at the
moment". "R" reminded Christie that "we gotta meet on that,
because, uh, you know, he just got back from you know where?"

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27
Christie then apparently caught "R's" drift-- namely, that "N's"
current residence could contain marijuana and other incriminating
evidence brought back from "you know where"–- because Christie
then indicated that he would call the HCPD Kona cellblock to put
in a "support" call to N. Minutes later, on May 1, Christie did
indeed telephone the Kona cellblock (see Call #710, TT2),
identified himself as "Reverend Roger Christie" and requested a
"clergy call" with inmate "N". During his telephone conversation
with "N", Christie received a detailed listing of various coded
items which had to be removed from "N's" residence; "N", for
example, was particularly concerned that Christie "make sure that
the master bedroom, which is my room, is, is clean". Christie
indicated that he would ask a mutual friend named "P" to go to
"N's" residence; Christie reiterated that "I'll get on to ["P"]
right now, I'm calling ["R"] back and our friends from Oregon
back". Christie later had another telephone call with "R" (Call
#730, TT1) in which he explained his prior conversation with "N",
and indicated that "I've got to talk to ["P"], uh, pretty soon
here. If I can find him to get to ["N's"] house and, and do some
cleaning". In another "clergy call" with "N" on the following
day (Call #801, TT2, 5/2/09), "N" advised Christie that "I, uh,
talked to ["P"] a couple of times today"; Christie replied, with
apparent relief, "okay. So things are OKAY [Christie emphasized
'OKAY'] on that end. Good".

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28
The bottom line is that every activity in which Christie has
engaged at or through his Ministry, in some fashion, assisted in
his distribution of marijuana, either by facilitating his supply
problems or enhancing the demand for his product, and/or provided
succor to his Ministry members when they were in trouble with the
law. And it is in this context that one must examine Christie's
assertions in his detention appeal papers that he can
realistically support himself while on bond by limiting his
Ministry activities to legitimate, non-marijuana-related
activities.

IV. ARGUMENT

:
In his detention appeal papers, Christie has averred at page
4 that:
At the detention hearing, Mr. Christie's counsel stated that
Mr. Christie agreed to abide by all of the proposed
conditions, and that if he works at the THC Ministry there
would not be illicit drugs (including marijuana) on the
premises or in the possession of any individuals with whom
Mr. Christie would or could have contact. As such, the THC
Ministry's mission would be altered due to the current
prosecution of Mr. Christie and others, and the Ministry's
distribution and use of marijuana will cease during the
pendency of this case. [emphasis added]
This quotation is the fundamental tenet and assumption underlying
Christie's assertion that he would not be a danger to the
community if released on bond and allowed to continue to operate
the Ministry as his livelihood. We submit that this assumption
is entirely wrong for two reasons.
First, as we have attempted to point out in prior portions

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15

As contended in his detention appeal at 2, "his use and
advocacy of marijuana has been known to State and Federal
authorities for some time".
29
of this memorandum, the sole purpose of the Ministry has always
been to shield and facilitate Christie's marijuana trafficking
activities. Given this purpose and how Christie has operated the
Ministry in the past, it is difficult to understand how the
Ministry could function in the absence of this intimate
association with marijuana. It is also noteworthy that Christie
has not explained in his detention appeal papers how the Ministry
could function within a greatly restricted scope of legitimate
conduct only and still provide a living for himself (as well as
his girlfriend, co-defendant St. Cyr, who has already been
released on bond). In this connection, too, Christie apparently
believed that because he had operated the Ministry so openly and
notoriously for many years, this is also a reason why he would
not pose any danger.15 We submit that until the instant wiretap
investigation was conducted in this case, no one really knew the
magnitude of what Christie was really doing behind the closed
doors and facade of his Ministry.
Second and most importantly, Christie's own actions speak
volumes about what he would likely continue to do if released on
bond, and are of more relevance and cogency than any mere
proffers made by his counsel at the detention hearing. Once DEA
removed all of the marijuana and other contraband from the

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30
Ministry and his residence during the warranted searches on March
10, 2010, Christie was, for all intents and purposes, out of his
marijuana trafficking business at that time. Christie–- a 61
year old man and hardly an inexperienced tyro who did not know
any better-- had two choices to make at this juncture:
-either to comply with the law and cease further
illegal activities, or
-to resume his prior marijuana trafficking activities
at the Ministry, which, as a result of the 3/10/10 warranted
searches, he was fully on notice constituted illegal conduct.
Christie consciously decided to resume the Ministry's marijuana
trafficking operations, which was discovered during the follow-up
searches of the Ministry and his residence on July 8, 2010.
The bottom line is that it is more reasonable to believe
that if released on bond, Christie would revert back to his
prior, established behavior of reinitiating the Ministry's normal
marijuana trafficking operations, particularly under
circumstances where it is difficult to see how the Ministry could
support itself if only confined to legitimate activities.
Contrary to the characterization of Christie's motion,
procedurally, it is really an appeal of the Magistrate Judge's
detention ruling to the District Judge authorized by 18 U.S.C. §
3145(b). As such, the applicable review standard is de novo
review. See, e.g., United States v. Koenig, 912 F.2d 1190 (9

th

Cir. 1985).
As long as the Court utilizes the "clear and convincing"

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16

The Ninth Circuit cited Acevado-Ramos with approval in
United States v. Windsor, 785 F.2d 755, 756-7 (9th Cir. 1986).

17

Given that this is de novo review, to the extent that
there is no reference to "clear and convincing" evidence in the
record, this is a finding that can be made by the District Judge.
31
standard of proof, it is entirely permissible under the Bail
Reform Act to detain a person without bail/bond on the basis of
dangerousness alone. United States v. Salerno, 481 U.S. 739, 755
(1987), United States v. Walker, 808 F.2d 1309 (9th Cir. 1987).
Moreover, contrary to Christie's contentions in his detention
appeal at 6, the concept of "dangerousness" under the Bail Reform
Act is not limited to the traditional consideration of witness
and victim safety, but also includes the concern that if the
defendant is released on bail/bond, he/she may commit other
crimes. United States v. Acevado-Ramos, 755 F.2d 203, 207 (1st
Cir. 1985).16 It was under this latter, correct standard of
"dangerousness", namely, that as demonstrated by his prior
affirmative conduct during the period March 10 - July 8, 2010,
Christie would continue to commit the same marijuana trafficking
crimes with which he is charged if released on bond, which caused
Magistrate Judge Chang to rule that he should be detained pending
trial. We submit that there is an ample factual basis in the
record to support such a "dangerousness" finding, even under the
"clear and convincing" evidence standard.17 This is particularly
so in the instant case, because as hereinbefore indicated, the

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32
Bail Reform Act's rebuttable presumption in favor of pretrial
detention is in effect and has not been rebutted in any way,
shape, or form by Christie.
For the reasons set forth herein, Magistrate Judge Chang
correctly determined that Christie should be detained without
bail/bond as a danger to the community, and the District Judge
should affirm that ruling.
DATED: Honolulu, Hawaii, July 15, 2010.
FLORENCE T. NAKAKUNI
United States Attorney
/s/ Michael K. Kawahara
By_________________________
MICHAEL K. KAWAHARA
Assistant U.S. Attorney

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CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that, on the dates and by the methods
of service noted below, a true and correct copy of the foregoing
was served on the following at their last known addresses:
Served Electronically through CM/ECF:
MATTHEW C. WINTER matthew_winter@fd.org
Assistant Federal Public Defender
DATED: July 15, 2010, at Honolulu, Hawaii.
/s/ Valerie Domingo
U.S. Attorney's Office
District of Hawaii

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---------------------------------------

I would first like to open up this discussion with the obvious, "I as a Citizen of the United States, take high offense that they use the name of our home to blatently step all over these people's constitutional rights"

[CrstlClr]

I don't know what you mean by bursting their bubble, but thanks for this info,, As me being new to this case, This has answered a few of my questions,, May there be Peace and what is our God given right for Rodger Christie

[Z.Kush]

Just finished reading that document before visiting the forums.
*whistles* quite a doosey, that one
Of course, I have never been to 94 kamehameha ave, Hilo, so I can't say what in that document may be true or false.
Very transparent that they have no intention to attempt to understand our religious beliefs, only allowing us the term ministry. For god's sakes they say us calling cannabis "sacrament" is merely a codeword!?

The simple fact is that Roger Cusick Christie was a very honest devout religious man- only trying to spread the word that cannabis really is holy, that people shouldn't get treated badly or looked down upon or thrown in prison for believing that cannabis is not what the government has made it to be in their propaganda- not what they taught kids in D.A.R.E.- finding out through action based on belief that cannabis can bring you spiritual enlightenment and ease the burdens of everyday life...

It is completely ridiculous that they will not let him out!

[Rev.Johnson]

You bring up some good points my brother Kush. The government is masterful at using words out of context so they assume we use words like ministry, donation and, sacrament like they would when we use them in the proper context as they are meant to be used.

you said, "Roger Cusick Christie was a very honest devout religious man". I would like to change that to, "Roger Cusick Christie IS a very honest devout religious man" as he is far from being done with this ministry. I am positive Roger is spreading the word to all that are willing to listen and they are passing it along when the opportunity arises just like we do!

It is no surprise that the government politicians lie every time they have something to say. They been lying for so many years i think it has become part of the job description! and programs like dare D.A.R.E. are designed to make them merely look like they actually care as they deceive the un-educated youth.

Finding out that cannabis can bring us spiritual enlightenment and ease the burdens of everyday life are two things the worlds government's puppet masters are afraid of! They don't want us to have higher positive energy levels that make our lives easier and more fulfilling. when that happens it takes back the power they so love to miss use for their personal gain.

They would rather have us as dumbed down slaves who look at them as master's. That way when we arrive at the other side of this transitional phase we and our Mother Earth are currently going through they will come out looking as if they where god's. Boy do they have a surprise coming!

Long story short... Good always triumphs over evil and in this, the most important period of our existence here on Mother Earth, where the human race has been granted permission to evolve to a higher level than the Atlantian's achieved before their civilization was destroyed, its not going to happen! Way to many people have woken up to see what is truely going on here in this world and more are waking up every day. You see, important steps have been taken to assure we make it through this evolutionary growth period and make it to the next level.

... And I totally agree with you brother Kush, it is ridiculous that they won't let Roger out! Thats probably because they think he's a stupid stoner and won't remember any of the facts he will use to fight them in court. what they don't realize is that a great part of that information will be submitted by themselves in that court room as evidence when they try to use the legal defense kit against him! Roger won't forget any of it and I would bet his lawyer already has copies of all of it anyway!


May Mother Earth and "her" people be bathed in love and light as we make our way through this evolutionary time of change.