State on Behalf of Hendrix v. Waters

Michael Waters appeals the trial court’s parentage judgment and order because it conditioned his visitation rights to his son upon ceasing his daily, daylong marijuana use. Because Waters claims he uses marijuana as part of his Rastafarian religious practices, he asserts that the trial court’s decision, in the absence of showing any actual or potential harm to his child’s best interests, violates his right to free religious exercise.

Because we find the First Amendment does not excuse Mr. Waters from complying with Washington’s marijuana prohibition, the trial court appropriately considered…