Priest Arrested For Growing Pot In Rectory

[matcom]

<snip>

AKRON, Ohio -- A Roman Catholic priest accused of growing marijuana in his church living quarters pleaded innocent Friday.

The Rev. Richard A. Arko, 40, said nothing in Summit County Magistrate Court. He is free on a $3,000 signature bond.

He was charged Jan. 22 with illegal cultivation of marijuana, a fifth-degree felony. On Wednesday, an indictment also charged him with possession of criminal tools and illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia.

If convicted, Arko faces one to two years in jail and up to $5,250 in fines.

Police seized 35 pots of marijuana plants, rolling papers, a rolling machine, grinder and scissors from the Prince of Peace Church rectory, prosecutors say.

http://www.boston.com/news/odd/articles/2004/02/06/priest_bagged_for_growing_pot_in_rectory/

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

1. WHAT THE... ah, rectORY. Never mind. (nt)

[Bertha Venation]

2. Decriminalize marijuana NOW. eom

[Thomas Servo]

3. Agreed. It's getting to a point where people get arrested for NOTHING

Sheesh. Some people!

[afraid_of_the_dark]

4. Give the guy a break...

he had to take vows of chastity and poverty - let him have his weed!

[grannylib]

5. Give us all a break... this insanity has to stop. What a waste of time

money energy manpower etc...Prohibition just does not work, folks, except for the criminals and others who are now profiting from it....easy way to stop that shit.

[kmla]

6. There are quite a few "Holy Smoke!" jokes here

that I won't attempt.

I just won't.