Deity Dozen ... Instead of the 10 Commandments, the First Church of Cannabis has come up with its own list of rules. Picture: Facebook Source: Supplied
A NEW church that worships the healing powers of marijuana is scheduled to hold its first service next month.
The First Church of Cannabis, which was founded in March, has already amassed 700 followers, known as “Cannabiterians”.
Based in Indiana, USA, the church has been deemed a charity by the Internal Revenue Service, enabling donors to deduct any contributions they make to the church from their tax returns. The church itself will also be eligible for a property tax exemption, despite the fact that both recreational and medicinal marijuana is illegal in Indiana.
Founder Bill Levin, a 59-year-old carpenter, started the church in response to the state’s new Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The Act prevents the government from “substantially burdening” anyone’s right to follow their select religion — whatever that may be.
Mr Levin, who refers to himself as the “Grand Pooh-bar” and “Minister of Love”told Yahoo News: “We don’t want to poison people. We want to see them healthy. And cannabis is the healthiest plant on Earth.”
Minister of Love ... First Church of Cannabis founder, Bill Levin. Picture: Facebook Source: Supplied
Cannabiterians smoke weed to better connect with themselves and others.
Without a current house of worship, Levin launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to pay for rent of a building. So far he has raised more than US$11,000 ($14,200).
Followers will be required to pay a membership fee of US$50 ($65) per month. They will also sell “Holy Rollers” rolling paper to raise funds for the church.
While members will be encouraged to enjoy cannabis in the holy hemp house, Mr Levin says the church “will not buy, sell or trade in the product”
There are doubts, however, that the new church will not escape legal consequences. Daniel O. Conkle, professor of law at Indiana University, told Yahoo News that the church is on “pretty shaky legal footing”, as it will have to prove that the drug use is linked to religious beliefs rather than an excuse to get high.
“Healing” ... Bill Levin believes that cannabis is the “healthiest plant on Earth”. Picture: Facebook Source: Supplied
Instead of the 10 Commandments, worshippers will follow the “Deity Dozen”, 12 tenets for living a good life. They are:
1) Don’t be an a — hole. Treat everyone with love, as an equal.
2) The day starts with your smile every morning. When you get up, wear it first.
3) Help others when you can. Not for money, but because it’s needed.
4) Treat your body as a temple. Do not poison it with poor quality foods and sodas.
5) Do not take advantage of people. Do not intentionally hurt anything.
6) Never start a fight, only finish them.
7) Grow food, raise animals, get nature into your daily routine.
8) Do not be a “troll” on the internet; respect others without name-calling and being vulgarly aggressive.
9) Spend at least 10 minutes a day just contemplating life in a quiet space.
10) When you see a bully, stop them by any means possible. Protect those who cannot protect themselves.
11) Laugh often, share humour. Have fun in life, be positive.
12) Cannabis, “the Healing Plant,” is our sacrament. It brings us closer to ourselves and others. It is our fountain of health, our love, curing us from illness and depression. We embrace it with our whole heart and spirit, individually and as a group.
“We’re going to do all the good things that churches do. Celebrate life, love, compassion and good health,” Levin said. “Everyone is going to leave in a happy, spiritual, healthy way,” said Mr Levin.
The first service is scheduled to take place on July 1, the same day the new law comes into place, but a location is yet to be announced.
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