From: johnl@gate.net
Newsgroups: rec.drugs.cannabis

Rastfarians use "herb" as a sacrament in their religion.   
"Herb" is a illegal.  You can go to jail for its use.  Several years 
ago the Supreme Court ruled that despite its plain wording, the first 
amendment did not protect Rastafarians religious practices when it 
came to the use of marijuana.

But wait!  The 103 Congress has come to the rescue of Rastifarians.
Check this out.

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RELIGIOUS FREEDOM RESTORATION ACT OF 1993

    SEC. 3. FREE EXERCISE OF RELIGION PROTECTED.

            (a) IN GENERAL- Government shall not substantially burden a
          person's exercise of religion even if the burden results from a 
          rule of general applicability, except as provided in subsection (b).
 
           (b) EXCEPTION- Government may substantially burden a person's
          exercise of religion only if it demonstrates that application of 
          the burden to the person--
                (1) is in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest;
              and
                (2) is the least restrictive means of furthering that
              compelling governmental interest.
 
           (c) JUDICIAL RELIEF- A person whose religious exercise has been
          burdened in violation of this section may assert that violation as 
          a claim or defense in a judicial proceeding and obtain appropriate
          relief against a government. Standing to assert a claim or defense
          under this section shall be governed by the general rules of
          standing under article III of the Constitution.

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We need a volunteer lawyer and some volunteer Rastafarians to bring a test
case for "Declaratory Relief" under this new law.