Man says he needs drugs for his religion
Canadian Press
May 15, 2002 17:45:00

SAULT STE. MARIE, Ontario - A judge called a Wisconsin man's explanation that he needs ecstasy, LSD and marijuana for religious purposes "interesting," but not good enough to warrant a stay of the charges against him.

Generik Broderick, 42, asked the court to stay the charges pending the outcome of an appeal of a Hamilton case involving a fellow member of his church.

Broderick, of Mount Horeb, Wisc., was arrested March 14 when he tried to enter Canada at the International Bridge.

He was charged with possession of marijuana, possession of ecstasy and possession of LSD.

Broderick, who referred to himself as reverend brother, told Ontario Court Justice Wayne Cohen he is an ordained minister with the Assembly of the Church of the Universe.

His church considers marijuana a sacrament, he said, and uses cannabis and the other two narcotics in religious ceremonies.

Special prosecutor Marty Pawelek argued against the stay, saying the appeal of the other case is just in its preliminary stages and will not be heard by Federal Court until 2003.

Describing it as a "very interesting situation," Cohen said he felt the case should go to trial as soon as possible.

A trial date will be set June 3.