Pubdate: Sat, 24 Mar 2001
Source: Duncan News Leader (CN BC)
Copyright: 2001 Duncan News Leader
Contact:  http://www.duncannewsleader.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1314
Author: Steven Addison

...AND HE'S SMOKING HIS STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN

James Dure, the man who claims using drugs is his religious right, was back 
in court Thursday.

The appearance is the latest in a number of drug-related charges the man 
has faced since he started smoking pot 30 years  ago.

"It is my religion to use these things. It's a form of ritual 
intoxication," he said after court. "I'm saying people should be allowed to 
do them because the Charter of Rights allows us our religious freedoms."

Dure was charged with possession of marijuana after he was stopped in a 
routine Counter Attack road check on Government Street last August.

During Thursday's testimony, which was given during a voire dire, defence 
lawyer Peter Durovich challengeed the legality of the police search that 
uncovered the pot, but he did not mention his client's religious beliefs.

Judge Anthony Palmer will rule May 18 if the marijuana can be used as evidence.

Dure, a member of the Vancouver Island Compassion Club, uses marijuana and 
magic mushrooms to ease the pain of a medical condition, as well as for his 
religious convictions.

"I feel both are legitimate uses for marijuana," he said, adding the Bible 
is proof Jesus Christ and Moses used drugs.

"It opens up a person's soul," he said. "It just, for me, opens up my mind 
to consider things I haven't considered before - that improves my 
perception of God."

"The dead sea scrolls tell us Jesus used the word mushroom many times. 
Marijuana was also used by Christ and by the prophets."

Jack Farr, a pastor with Duncan's New Life Baptist Church, said he's heard 
similar statements, but discounts the claims.

"I think it would be very difficult for anyone to even prove that kind of 
statement," he said.

"There's an old saying that with a pair of scissors and glue you can make 
the scriptures say anything you want them to say."
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D