Roger Christie Appeals Denial of Bail in Federal Court August 7, 2012

Obama Justice Department Indefinitely Imprisons Leader of The Hawai'i Cannabis Ministry for 2 Years with No Trial or Bail

HONOLULU, Aug. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is being released by Mintwood Media:

Reverend Roger Christie has been federally imprisoned without trial, bail or visitors since July 2010.  The long time community leader's extraordinary rendition pits an expensive, counter-productive and hypocritical "drug war" against the Constitutional legitimacy of The Hawai'i Cannabis Ministry he founded ten years ago. Reverend Christie will appear in US District Court at 300 Ala Moana Blvd. in Honolulu on Tuesday, August 7, 2012 at 2:00 PM.

Reverend Christie's court appointed attorney Thomas Otake, will present before Judge Leslie Kobayashi for the first time.  Reverend Christie's family and supporters are optimistic this new judge will recognize he is not a threat to the community despite six previous denials. In the meantime, Christie's trial is scheduled for January 2013.

WHO: Reverend Roger Christie, founder of The Hawai'i Cannabis (THC) Ministry, Court Appointed Attorney Thomas Otake (Spokesperson)

WHAT: Reverend Christie's Bail Appeal Argued by Attorney Thomas Otake in US District Court.  (Limited Media availability before and afterwards)

WHEN: August, 7, 2012 2:00pm

WHERE: US District Court 300 Ala Moana Blvd. Honolulu, HI

"My client is a peaceful man and should be granted release to prepare for trial," says attorney, Thomas Otake. He adds, "Reverend Christie looks forward to the day he will regain his religious freedom through due process."

Reverend Christie has many supporters across the United States and is receiving support from as far away as Washington, DC where questions surround the constitutional standard employed by the Obama administration in his prosecution. "You don't have to believe in Reverend Christie's cannabis faith to see that it is akin to legal sacramental use of controlled substances in Native American traditions," says publicist Adam Eidinger.

Paul J. von Hartmann says of his imprisoned long time colleague and friend, "Roger Christie is a cultural visionary publicly honored by his community as a "Ho'omaluhia Peacemaker." He has been in the forefront of the contemporary Cannabis renaissance for more than a quarter of a century. Reverend Christie's resolve in the face of coercive, indefinite imprisonment for the past two years, successfully demonstrates the sincerity needed to reclaim spiritual legitimacy of the world's most ancient global culture. It remains to be seen whether people will support his heroic effort to defend everyone's fundamental human right of religious freedom."

To arrange interviews with Attorney Thomas Otake, members of the media may reach him via email Thomas (at) Otakelaw.com . Reverend Christie's long-time friend and Cannabis scholar, Paul J. von Hartmann can be reached via email projectpeace [at] yahoo [dot] com . After oral arguments for the appeal are heard, Mr. Otake will answer questions for the media in front of the courthouse.       

SOURCE Mintwood Media