Americans tell judge marijuana is for religious use

Americans tell judge marijuana is for religious use
By Kent Harris, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Saturday, February 28, 2009

Two military dependents with ties to Aviano Air Base are using an unusual defense in an attempt to avoid drug charges in Italy.

The two men, who have not been identified in Italian media reports or by the base, reportedly told an Italian judge they are Rastafarians and the pound of marijuana they had in their possession would be used for religious purposes, according to an article in Il Gazzettino newspaper.

The two men were driving back toward Aviano from a trip to Trieste several weeks ago when they were stopped at a carabinieri checkpoint near Udine, according to the report.

Officers reportedly found the drugs under a jacket in the back seat.

An officer at the carabinieri station in Udine said Thursday he knew nothing about the case.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=61029