Multi-Denominational Ministry of Cannabis v. Holder

MEMORANDUM

Members of the Multi-Denominational Ministry of Cannabis and Rastafari, Inc. (MDMCR) appeal pro se the dismissal of their action seeking declaratory and in-junctive relief to prevent further seizures of their marijuana. The action was filed after local, state and federal law enforcement officials confiscated over 40,000 marijuana plants from property owned by MDMCR members. The district court rejected the members’ contentions that such seizures violate any constitutional or statutory rights. We review de novo, see Stoner v. Santa Clara County Office of Educ., 502 F.3d 1116, 1120-21 (9th Cir.2007), and we affirm.

DISCUSSION

1. Dismissal of MDMCR

The district court dismissed MDMCR as a plaintiff because it was not represented by counsel. We also dismissed MDMCR as a party to this appeal because it was unrepresented by counsel. The law is clear that incorporated entities must be represented by counsel in court. See Licht v. America West Airlines, 40 F.3d 1058, 1059 (9th Cir.1994) (“Corporations ... must appear in court through an attorney.”); see also Church of the New Testament v. United States, 783 F.2d 771, 773 (9th Cir.1986) (noting church must appear in court…