The Order of $33

In 2012, federal agents raided a rural family property near Kettle Falls, Washington, where five state-legal medical cannabis patients — who became known as the Kettle Falls Five — were growing medicinal herbs for their own care under Washington state law. One of the five was Rolland Gregg — the founder of IPC.Engineer and Peace Engineers.

The federal government prosecuted the family and sentenced Rolland to 33 months in federal prison — for growing plants. The family refused to accept that outcome. They fought the case up to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, arguing that Congress had barred the Department of Justice from spending funds to prosecute state-compliant medical cannabis patients. They won. The convictions were vacated, the sentences never stood, and the case became a landmark in ending the federal war on medicinal herbs.

The number 33 was chosen for us. We chose to transform it. The 33 months the government tried to take became the $33 pledge that members give freely — turning an instrument of punishment into an engine of peaceful, lawful, open-source engineering for everyone.

The Order of $33 operates as an integrated auxiliary of Truths.Church, a 508(c)(1)(a) church. Our association is a key partner in the mission described at peace.navy/missions: engineering peace by restoring practical sovereignty to individuals, families, and communities.

As a benevolent fraternal order within that ecclesiastical structure, member pledges are contributions to the mission — not consumer purchases. Membership is a private association between you and the Order under our Club Terms.