The gubernatorial and attorney general nominees for the Compassion Party in Rhode Island were arrested on Thursday, charged for possession of 48 pounds of marijuana with intent to distribute.
State police investigated the home of Anne Armstrong, 58, and Alan Gordon, 48, after receiving a complaint that their place was emanating a strong odor of weed. The cops found marijuana plants "growing outdoors and in plain sight" along with five large aluminum trays full of pot inside the house, according to the Providence Journal.
A 15-year-old boy was also found at the home, leading to additional charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Armstrong is running for governor of the state, and Gordon is running for attorney general on a platform to fully legalize the plant. Under Rhode Island's current medical marijuana laws, growers must have a permit and outside operations are prohibited.
The couple leads a Christian sect called The Healing Church — which uses cannabis in religious services.
Gordon and Armstrong have had several run-ins with law enforcement over their stance on marijuana, the Journal reported, and have even filed more than one lawsuit arguing that the state's drug laws are unconstitutional because they amount to "religious discrimination."
Armstrong didn't seem bothered by the felony charges against her and her partner while posting on social media Thursday that they were under attack due to the success of their political campaigns.
"On way to the Wickford barracks under arrest for cannabis again. I guess our poll numbers were high enough to scare them into committing an atrocity. Pray for our police."
On way to the wickford barracks under arrest for cannabis again. I guess our poll numbers were high enough to scare them into committing an atrocity. Pray for our police. pic.twitter.com/Ad0gCucNiB
— Anne Armstrong (@AvengingAnnieRI) October 4, 2018
During the pair's arraignment hearing, Armstrong asked the judge to refer to her as either "reverend" or "deaconess," and to refrain from using the word "marijuana," because she views the term as racist. Instead, she and Gordon prefer the term "cannabis."
Candidate profiles of Armstrong and Gordon are available on the website of WJAR-TV, where they give further explanation of their political views.
Breck Dumas
