Pubdate: Thu, 12 Feb 1998 Source: See Magazine (CN AB) Copyright: 1998 SEE Magazine Contact: http://www.seemagazine.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2367 Author: Rev. Brother Dr. Kevin Sisk CANNABIS: THE PLANT OF PREFERENCE FOR DRUIDS (AND OLYMPIANS) Editor, SEE: Regarding the Man Bites Dog article Epileptic will use reefer defence (SEE, Jan. 29 - Feb. 4): did you know that at last count there were six "the Pope"s in the Edmonton Grove of the Church of the Reformed? There is no Reformed Druids Church. There is the Edmonton Grove of the Church of the Reformed Druids (ChoRD). We are incorporated under the Religious Society Land Act. I have spoken with our "The Pope" Ken Kirk and he assures me his title is "The Pope" so when SEE suggested he was the "Alberta Pope" it was in error. Please correct this error and the mistaken belief that there is a Reformed Druids Church. There is also one "The Pope" in the China Grove of the Church of Reformed Druids. It is against the law to have a church in China. The China Grove of the Church of Reformed Druids is a criminal organization because one is not allowed to have a church that is not under the direct control of the state in China. The Edmonton Grove of the Church of the Reformed Druids promotes growing and usage of cannabis for religious purposes. As I understand it, growing cannabis may be an indictable offence and the punishment may be more than five years. Many of the Reformed Druids grow cannabis. The Church promotes to our members that they should grow and hold the Sukha service or that other Druid service that involves the use of cannabis. Our membership card is a grow permit. The Church feels that this 'medical use' business is a ploy by a federal government that wishes to continue its dominion over plants. Plant preference is a religious issue, not a medical one. I am not a medical doctor, however I have been given to understand cannabis has medical usages. Peyote is permitted the natives for their religious services. No permit required! Peyote can kill you! Cannabis cannot. Render unto the Church that which God has given us. The state got the gold. The ChoRD says plant preference is a natural consequence of human dignity and religious freedom! The Charter of Rights and Freedoms is supposed to protect religious freedom and the Alberta Human Rights Commission is supposed to be our protector. It ain't happening, brother. Rev. Brother Dr. Kevin Sisk Grand Druid O.H.O., Ph.D., D.D. Edmonton