PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Three members of a church that uses marijuana in its ceremonies have been ticketed for possessing a controlled substance at Roger Williams National Memorial.
The Providence Journal reports (https://bit.ly/1IPlEh0) police moved in Tuesday and issued $100 citations after members of the West Greenwich-based Healing Church lit a glass pipe they referred to as a chalice.
Anne Armstrong, deaconess of church, says they believe the police action was akin to “storm troopers bursting into a Catholic church while they were distributing Holy Communion.”
Church members have been praying at the memorial this week and have received a permit to hold a service there on Saturday.
Jennifer Smith, the site manager for the memorial, says the permit allows members of the church to assemble, but not to violate any laws.
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Information from: The Providence Journal, https://www.providencejournal.com
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