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Marijuana Minister Charged With Trafficking
10.14.06|Fox Ten|By Adam Walser

A couple is charged with trafficking marijuana after Baldwin County deputies find a giant pot plant growing behind their home.

Newlyweds Bruce Shoop and Brenda Williams didn't think growing marijuana for their own use was a big deal. Now they're calling for changes in the law.

A pot plant that they grew in their backyard has led to felony charges.

"They charged us with trafficking and we're clearly not drug dealers or traffickers or anything like that," said Shoop. "We're just normal people.None of us have ever been in trouble. "

Shoop is a licensed minister, founding The Green Earth Ministries. "Marijuana helps people open their minds more so. I think there's instances where spirituality can be heightened with it," Shoop said.

"You have to be an adult and you have to figure out if it helps you," said Williams, a registered nurse. "How it helps you. How much it helps you. Moderation is the key to everything."

Shoop and Williams were indicted by a grand jury on trafficking charges after a tip led officers to find the plant at their home.

Any amount of marijuana over two pounds, two ounces is considered trafficking marijuana in Alabama. "Had it been smaller, we probably wouldn't be looking at nearly as much trouble at this point, even the arresting officer said so," said Shoop.

The marijuana plant was one of several large vegetables growing in the couple's garden.

"Our plants grow very well here, and that's the only thing that makes this a felony is that we are very good gardeners," said Williams.

"The best we can do now is create a little awareness and hope that other people don't find themselves in very serious jeopardizing situations that they never intend to be in," said Shoop.

"My way to earn a living is being jeopardized here, and that is my skill. That is what I am born to do is be a nurse," said Williams.

We spoke with Baldwin County narcotics officers about the case. They say they had no evidence that the couple ever tried to sell the drugs.

Officers said the amount of marijuana the couple was caught growing would constitute a misdemeanor in many states, including Texas, where the felony amount is 50 pounds.

Shoop and Williams could face up to ten years in prison if convicted on the trafficking charge.