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{{short description|Religion}}
{{Cannabis sidebar}} 
The '''THC Ministry''', founded by [[Roger Christie]] from the Religion of Jesus Church, is a [[religion]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thc-ministry.org/hawaiipolicerulesreligioususe.html |title=Hawaii Police Department (HPD) Religious Use Rules |publisher=Thc-ministry.org |date= |accessdate=2011-04-20}}</ref> which considers [[cannabis (drug)|cannabis]] to be a [[sacrament]]. Members base their practices on what they see as an eclectic mixture of ancient [[wisdom]], modern [[science]], and the enlightening and [[healing]] properties of cannabis [[sacrament]]. Its [[Strategic planning|mission]] includes "liberating the ''[[Cannabis]]'' plant and the minds of those who do and of those who do not revere it," and is actively involved in the legal and social discussions  surrounding cannabis use in society. On July 8, 2010, Christie and 13 other individuals allegedly associated with the THC Ministry were indicted by a Federal grand jury in Honolulu on Marijuana Possession and Trafficking charges.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.khon2.com/news/local/story/New-details-in-the-major-marijuana-bust-on-the/HiwkKerHDU62ApTAR0iMrQ.cspx|title=New details in the major marijuana bust on the Big Island|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616212307/http://www.khon2.com/news/local/story/New-details-in-the-major-marijuana-bust-on-the/HiwkKerHDU62ApTAR0iMrQ.cspx|archivedate=2011-06-16}}</ref> Christie served four years in jail following an April 2014 sentencing, and was on probation until 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bigislandvideonews.com/2014/04/30/thc-minister-roger-christie-sentenced/|title=THC Minister Roger Christie sentenced|date=2014-04-30|language=en-US|access-date=2016-07-02}}</ref>

==Beliefs==
THC Ministry believes that ''"cultivation and enjoyment of cannabis sacrament is a fundamental human right provided by God and protected by the Constitution."'' It states cannabis is the original [[sacrament]] of [[Hebrews|Hebrew]], [[Christians|Christian]], [[Muslim]], [[Hindu]], [[Shinto]], [[Buddhist]], [[Rastafari movement|Rasta]] and more, and fulfills the prophesies to 'feed all our hungers'. It believes cannabis to be one of the main ingredients in the original [[Holy anointing oil|Anointing Oil]], as described in the [[Bible]]. Some members also believe it is the substance used in the [[burnt offering]]s at the altar and special occasions throughout the Bible numerous times.

==History==
<!-- Unsourced image removed: [[Image:THC_Ministry_Court_stipulation.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Court stipulation recognizing the Religion of Jesus Church as a ''bona fide'' religion and acknowledging a member's sincere belief in the sacramental use of cannabis.]] -->

THC Ministry, which is the abbreviated and popularized name for the original Hawai'i Ministry of Cannabis Sacrament and all of its chapters, was founded in June 2000 by [[Roger Christie]] in [[Hawaii]]. It is present in [[Australia]], [[Canada]], the [[Netherlands]], the [[United Kingdom]] and many [[U.S. state|states of the]] United States, including [[Alabama]], [[Arizona]], [[California]], [[Colorado]], [[Florida]], [[Illinois]], [[Indiana]], [[Iowa]], [[Michigan]], [[Missouri]], [[Montana]], [[Nebraska]], [[Ohio]], [[Oregon]], [[Wyoming]], [[Texas]], and [[Tennessee]] with at least one other chapter forming in [[New York (state)|New York]]. It is an officially registered religion in many countries on different continents.

According to the THC Ministry, identification of cannabis specifically as an ingredient of the holy anointing oil, can be found in the [[Torah]] (Five Books of Moses), Exodus 30:23; contrary to the translation of the Septuagint and supported by both Aramaic translations (the [[Targum]] and the [[Peshitta]]).

The Hebrew Bible possibly mentions cannabis in [[:s:Bible (American Standard)/Exodus#30:23|Exodus 30:23]] where God commands [[Moses]] to make a [[holy anointing oil|holy oil]] of [[myrrh]], [[cinnamon]], ''qěnēh bośem'' and [[Cinnamomum aromaticum|cassia]] to anoint the [[Ark of the Covenant]] and the Tabernacle (and thus God's Temple in Jerusalem).<ref name=kaneh1>Rabbi Kaplan. 1981. ''The Living Torah'', pg. 40-41.</ref> The Biblical Hebrew term ''qěnēh bośem'' ('''קְנֵה בֹּשֶׂם'''), possibly derived from [[Sumerian language|Sumerian]] ''kanubi''{{Citation needed|date=May 2007}},  literally "reed of balm", probably<ref name="labarre1980">[[Weston La Barre]]. 1980. ''Culture in Context; Selected Writings of Weston Labarre''. Duke University Press.</ref> refers to cannabis according to some etymologists,<ref name="bookofgrass">Benetowa, Sara = ([[Sula Benet]]). 1936. Tracing one word through different languages. Institute of Anthropological Sciences, Warsaw. Reprinted 1967 In: ''The Book of Grass''. George Andrews and Simon Vinkenoog (eds.) Grove Press, New York, "pp. 15-18.</ref> but is more commonly thought to be lemon grass, calamus, or even sweet cane, due to widespread translation issues.<ref name="low1924">Immanuel Löw. 1924-1934. ''Flora der Juden'', vol. I-IV. Reprinted 1967. Hildeshein: Georg Olms (source not confirmed)</ref>

Notably, the specific anointing oil in question, is a special herbal formula that functions as a kind of polish and fragrance for the Ark and Tabernacle, and the Bible forbids its manufacture and use to anoint people ([[:s:Bible (American Standard)/Exodus#30:31|Exodus 30:31-33]]) 
with the exception of the Aaronic priesthood ([[:s:Bible (American Standard)/Exodus#30:30|Exodus 30:30]]).

In [[Aryeh Kaplan]]'s contemporary English translation of the Five Books, "The Living Torah", he includes a picture of the hemp plant as an illustration (p.&nbsp;442).

A judge in Colorado ruled that a man's belief that marijuana was a sacrament did not rise to the level of religion and ordered him to pay $450 in fines and costs and serve 15 hours of community service as a sentence.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.9news.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=134209&catid=346|title=Colo. man who claims pot as sacrament is convicted}}</ref>

==See also==
{{portal|Cannabis}}
*[[Religious use of cannabis]]
*[[Cannabis (drug)]]
*[[Charas]]
*[[entheogen]]

== References ==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
*THC Ministry Chapters:
**[http://www.thc-ministry.org/ Hawai'i Cannabis Ministry] (Original organization founded by Roger Christie)
**[http://www.thc-ministry.net/ THC Ministry Amsterdam] (European headquarters and first official THC Ministry founded outside the USA.)
**[http://www.greenearthministries.org/ Green Earth Ministries Alabama] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415211411/http://www.greenearthministries.org/ |date=2015-04-15 }} (Official THC Ministry founded in Alabama, USA.)
*Other Recognized Churches Supporting THC Ministries
**[http://www.greenfaithministry.com/  greenfaith ministry] Cannabis Caregiving Church, (Cannabis Sacrament/Medicine Church Recognized by the States of WY, TX, & CO)
** [http://www.zionstation.com The Entheogenic Reformation Church]
**[http://www.themonastery.org/  U.L.C. Headquarters ]  (world-renowned U.L.C. church and supporter of thc-ministries.)
**[http://www.ministryofcannabis.com/  Ministry of Cannabis ]  (Cannabis seedbank based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.)
**[http://www.xCannabis.com/  Christians for Cannabis ]  (Idaho USA Cannabis Ministry, Christians for Cannabis)

{{Cannabis in Hawaii}}
{{Cannabis resources}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Thc Ministry}}
[[Category:Cannabis law reform organizations]]
[[Category:Cannabis and religion]]
[[Category:Religious organizations using entheogens]]
[[Category:Religious organizations established in 2000]]
[[Category:2000 establishments in Hawaii]]
[[Category:Cannabis in Hawaii]]
[[Category:2000 in cannabis]]
[[Category:Religious belief systems founded in the United States]]
[[Category:New religious movements established in the 2000s]]