How The First Church Of Cannabis Plans To Test Indiana’s New Religious Freedom Law

[Hepburn]

For thousands of years, religious people have gathered together in houses of worship to sing songs, celebrate sacred rituals, and lift up prayers to God(s) on high. And on July 1, a new religious group in Indiana intends to do just that — but with a lot more emphasis on the “high” part.

A little more than a month from now, the newly-formed First Church of Cannabis is scheduled to hold its first official gathering, where worshippers plan to test the limits of new religious freedom laws by “filling up” the sanctuary with marijuana smoke while observing a sacrament.

...

Recreational marijuana is, of course, illegal in Indiana. But Levin believes the service will be allowed under the state’s new version of the Religious Freedom and Restoration Act (RFRA), which reaffirmed and arguably expanded existing legal protections for religious groups. The Grand Poohba founded the Church after he heard about the controversial legislation, which sparked a national outcry when it was revealed that it could allow religious groups and individuals the right to discriminate against others — especially LGBT people. Levin also opposed the legislation, but the same day it was signed into the law, the state approved his request to register his Church as a tax-exempt religious institution.

“The religious freedom law is, if you have a religion, the government will not impede upon your right for that religion,” Levin, a longtime advocate for the legalization of marijuana, told MSNBC. “And as far as I’m concerned, I have a religion [where I] religiously smoke cannabis and I celebrate life.”

http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2015/05/15/3659687/first-church-cannabis-plans-test-indianas-new-religious-freedom-law/

I love it! Let's celebrate life!

[mindem]

1. It will be fun to see what happens.

I think a new church should re-test the waters with polygamy. If one husband/one wife is good - one husband/six wives should be great.

[hobbit709]

2. sounds good to me.

[PatrickforO]

3. Cute!

I LOVE seeing right wingers face the 'unintended consequences' of their hate-based legislation. They wanted to exclude gays; now they can have the Church of Cannabis!

[Fairgo]

4. And on the seventh day...

He rolled a fatty, and it was good. Numbers 4:20

[Hepburn]

5. LMAO!

I think we have a start for communion services!

[eloydude]

10. And thy bud was smoketh

Then the Lord your God, saith "Dammmmmmmmnnnnn, that is the Bomb" and saw it was good.

[Hepburn]

6. Commandment #1:

Thou shall not bogart.

[Initech]

7. Why is there not a branch of this church in California?

[Hepburn]

8. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm....

....

Where shall we locate?

[appal_jack]

9. There was a similar Church in NYC back in the 1980's & 1990's.

The Church of Realized Fantasies had its own Pope, and used cannabis as its sacrament:

http://www.maryellenmark.com/text/magazines/rolling%20stone/920S-000-003.html

I guess it's still on the books as a legit church.

-app