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Pot-smoking minister guilty of growing it

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The Associated Press

Published: November 7, 2009

VIERA - A self-proclaimed minister who claimed he smokes marijuana for religious and health reasons has been found guilty of illegally harvesting 100 of the plants.

It took a Brevard County jury only 14 minutes Friday to find 53-year-old Steven Swallick guilty. He faces up to 10 years in prison when sentenced next month.

Swallick told the judge outside the jury's presence that he is affiliated with the Hawaiian Cannabis Ministries and that he smokes marijuana and uses it as an ingredient in anointing oil, health drinks and incense to drive away evil spirits.

But Circuit Judge Jim Earp ruled that Swallick could not give such testimony to the jury.

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