JAPANESE MONK ACCUSED OF GROWING MARIJUANA

TOKYO - A Buddhist monk was arrested Wednesday for growing marijuana
near his temple in northern Japan, a police official said.

Michimaru Obara, 48-year-old monk at Eikoji shrine in Iwate prefecture
(state), is suspected of cultivating about 5.3 pounds of marijuana,
according to a police official who refused to give his name due to
policy.

Authorities also suspect the monk sold at least 1.7 ounces of the
illegal plant to an office worker near Tokyo, the official said.

Obara has already been arrested for drug possession, after police
found marijuana at his home last month. The monk has admitted he
cultivated the plant for personal consumption, but denies selling his
harvest, reports said.

Drug penalties in Japan are harsh. Convicted drug users face up to
life in prison under anti-narcotics laws, although most first-time
offenders get suspended prison terms.