West Toledo church protests for release of ‘medicine woman’ – Toledo Blade

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Members of a West Toledo church that describes itself as an alternative medicine and naturopathic healing center demonstrated outside the Lucas County Courthouse on Wednesday in support of the person they call their head medicine woman.

Charmaine Rose Bassett, 56, is being held in the Lucas County jail on felony charges of aggravated possession of drugs, aggravated trafficking in drugs, and trafficking in marijuana.

Bassett, who founded Anyana-Kai, a member of the Oklevueha Native American Church, at 3344 Secor Rd., was indicted Jan. 26 by a Lucas County grand jury after Toledo police raided the church last July 28 and seized marijuana and illegal mushrooms. The indictment alleges she sold the marijuana and mushrooms to members who paid a fee to join the church. Supporters say the search, Bassetts arrest, and her detention all are illegal based on what they referred to as constitutional law.

Bassett has so far declined to cooperate with the court process, prompting Common Pleas Judge Michael Goulding to order that she undergo a competency evaluation at the Court Diagnostic and Treatment Center.

Judge Goulding also ordered that Bassett be held in the county jail after she left the county and failed to appear for a court hearing in March. She was arrested in Canton on June 7 and booked the same day at the Lucas County jail.

Church member Tanya Walker said Bassett and Anyana-Kai do amazing work for people suffering from illnesses who have not been helped by traditional medicine. Bassett uses earth-based sacraments, including cannabis and psilocybin mushrooms, she said.

Her knowledge is vast, Ms. Walker said. She is the most giving person Ive ever met, and to us its a crime shes in there when there are dangerous people out here.

A hearing in Bassetts case is set for July 7.

Contact Jennifer Feehan at:jfeehan@theblade.comor 419-213-2134.

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West Toledo church protests for release of 'medicine woman' - Toledo Blade