Court: Church not excused from cannabis laws ADVERTISING Court: Church not excused from cannabis laws HONOLULU (AP) — A federal court ruled a Native American church in Hawaii should not be excused from federal marijuana laws. The church’s leader, Michael
Court: Church not excused from cannabis laws
HONOLULU (AP) — A federal court ruled a Native American church in Hawaii should not be excused from federal marijuana laws.
The church’s leader, Michael Rex “Raging Bear” Mooney, says in court documents that members receive communion through cannabis.
The Oklevueha Native American Church of Hawaii filed a complaint in 2009 asking for relief from marijuana laws under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Mooney says they use marijuana during sweat lodge ceremonies to help people regain their relationship with their creator.
A district court ruled against the claim, saying the church didn’t produce enough admissible evidence about its religion other than a strong belief in the benefits of marijuana.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Wednesday upheld the district court’s decision.
Teachers from the mainland recruited by state
HONOLULU (AP) — The state Department of Education has been seeking out educators from the mainland to deal with the state’s growing teacher shortage.
Officials expect as many as 1,600 vacancies throughout the state next school year. The department responded by sending teams to meet with potential applicants in major cities across the U.S., including Chicago, New York, Portland, Ore., and Los Angeles.
Even if the state can successfully recruit enough people, officials say retaining those teachers could present a challenge. Newly recruited teachers are often placed in rural schools, where there is more of a need, and have to face the state’s high cost of living.
The DOE is looking to fill vacancies in special education, secondary mathematics and secondary science. The state also needs more teachers in rural neighbor island areas and Oahu’s Leeward Coast. Financial incentives are available for applicants.
Resort agrees to $6M farmland deal
HONOLULU (AP) — Nearly 500 acres of land on Oahu’s North Shore will be preserved for farming under a deal backed by Honolulu, the state and the federal government.
The $6 million deal with Turtle Bay Resort was announced Monday. Under the agreement, the resort must set aside 468 acres of its land solely for farming and conservation purposes. Housing for farmworkers would be allowed.
To pay for the deal, the U.S. Army chipped in $3 million and the state and Honolulu contributed $1.5 million. The Trust for Public Land arranged the purchase through government land conservation programs.
The land is used by 12 farmers who lease plots and grow crops that include bananas, papayas, basil, tomatoes, eggplant and taro.
The newly designated farmland will be in addition to nearly 630 acres of the resort’s land preserved under another deal finalized in October 2015. The resort earned $45 million for scrapping plans to build hundreds of homes on the property.
Plans for the new deal include a farmer’s market and a bike path along Kamehameha Highway.
