GRAND RAPIDS (AP) - A man has pleaded guilty to a federal marijuana charge in western Michigan after failing to convince a judge that he had a religious right to grow pot.
Branden Barnes of Marshall claims to be a Native American "medicine man" who considers marijuana to be a sacrament protected by the First Amendment. But federal Judge Janet Neff rejected the argument.
The Grand Rapids Press says Barnes pleaded guilty Tuesday to growing more than 50 marijuana plants. About a year ago, Lansing firefighters responding to a gas leak summoned police, who found 321 plants.
Barnes said he was a member of the Oklevueha Native American Church, which accepts people who pay a fee. He will be sentenced on Jan. 28.
Published: Fri, Oct 23, 2015
