First Legal Marajuana Church Founded!

[Jimmeh]

http://www.clickpress.com/releases/D...138005cp.shtml

First Legal Marijuana Church Launches Due To Landmark Supreme Court Decision

Craig X Rubin founded temple420.org as a result of the landmark Supreme Court Case “Gonzales vs. O Centro Espirita Beneficiente Uniao do Vegetal”. In a unanimous decision (8-8) The Supreme Court's Chief Justice Roberts delivered the opinion that, ... "religious freedom is more important than drug laws."

[ClickPress, Thu Apr 27 2006] Craig X Rubin, a leading proponent for ending the prohibition on Marijuana, has launched www.temple420.org the first legal Marijuana church. Craig X Rubin founded temple420.org as a result of the landmark Supreme Court Case “Gonzales vs. O Centro Espirita Beneficiente Uniao do Vegetal”.

In this historic case, with Chief Justice Roberts delivering the opinion, the high Court ruled in a unanimous decision (8-0) that:

“The Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993, requires the government to permit the importation, distribution, possession, and use of a Schedule I hallucinogenic controlled substance, even when Congress has found that the substance has a high potential for abuse, it is unsafe for use even under medical supervision, and its importation and distribution would violate an international treaty. Marijuana is a Schedule I hallucinogenic controlled substance. Therefore, the Supreme Court has ruled that religious freedom is more important than drug laws.”

www.420.org’s first order of business is signing up new members nationwide via its web site. For a limited time new members receive a lifetime membership to the temple for $100, which protects them from prosecution in all 50 states. “Our members will never be convicted of marijuana possession again,” said founder Craig X Rubin. “Marijuana is basically legalized at the federal level since religious pot is now protected by the Constitution, unlike medical marijuana, which is only protected by local jurisdictions. I have dedicated my life to ending the prohibition of Marijuana and I have finally had my day in court.”

Additional Information:
Craig X Rubin, in addition to being a recognized and respected leader in the legal Marijuana industry, is a writer, SAG comedian and has made guest appearances on the show “Weed.” He recently wrote the book “90210 Grow”.

http://www.temple420.com

Is this for real!!?? Effective legality!

[Creeping Death]

Man, that was a sweet read. But the part where you have to pay 100$ makes it all fishy.

This doesn't sound like a real religion, and that'll be shown the first time a member of their group goes to court for it. A religion needs to meet certain criteria to be considered a religion by the court. The fact that you have to pay 100$ makes me think that the guy who started this has other interests than freeing pot smokers.

[Jimmeh]

Originally Posted by Creeping Death

Man, that was a sweet read. But the part where you have to pay 100$ makes it all fishy.

This doesn't sound like a real religion, and that'll be shown the first time a member of their group goes to court for it. A religion needs to meet certain criteria to be considered a religion by the court. The fact that you have to pay 100$ makes me think that the guy who started this has other interests than freeing pot smokers.

Yeah, but I mean it seems legally sound, I mean I'm sure it would be possible to found a proper, legally-recognised religion that allowed the use of marajuana. Despite whether you agree with the joining fee of this particular "religion" you have to admit it is quite a nice idea.

[Nagognog2]

It's been tried before with the Zion-Coptic Church (Rastafarian). It fell face-first in US courts, so the precedent has been set.

[kritikal]

I am aware of the Zion-Coptic Church, but did they have legal immunity? I always heard they did but you had to in someway or another prove your faith to the church in order to bypass drug laws.

If this new church is no different to the Rastafarian then there is no point really. I'd rather just make sure i didnt get caught. Besides use of marijuana must be used in a religious "manner", so i guess you cant just walk down the street with a joint in hand.

[D.U.M.B]

^ Unless thats how you pray.

We need to start a religion where you pray by walking down the street with a joint in hand

[korky8097]

Originally Posted by Shame In You

^ Unless thats how you pray.

We need to start a religion where you pray by walking down the street with a joint in hand

haha, now picture that, and an ipod commercial. Our gospel music would consist of bands like the dead, floyd, marley, sublime, ect. Ahh how sweet that would be.

Something just tells me that this will fall on its face, or something is rotten about this. I dont know, maybe its just me, if its for real this would be a huge step towards the goal.

[StigmataLectron]

If I join, could I stop using SWIM? :b

[Nagognog2]

As long as you bring a note from your minister, the Reverend P.T. Barnum. And keep those $100 bills rolling in, kiddies! <insert caliope music here>

[Pinkavvy]

If nothing else, it's worth joining for the free legal attorney if/when you get busted for posession.

Craig X is a great guy and activist, and I know he has the best intentions; not just looking to scam everybody for a measily hundred bux.

[Sky Walker]

Yea, compared with most holy "temples" $100 really isn't that much to ask for, pretty reasonable really.

[Alfa]

It is pure bullshit. You can and will be prosecuted for using marijuana. That site will offer little protection if at all. "Jezus smoked pot"? Well that will be quite a defense in court lol.
The site clearly shows that intent is to dodge the law, instead of religious intent. For it to be recognised as a religion, rites and ceremonies are needed and other aspects which make it a true religion.
Think of the Church of the true inner light which uses DPT as their holy sacrament. Think of tripping balls when fellow church members persuade you of their truths. Religion needs to be present and religion tends to get into the way of pure recreation.

I do think that something like this can work, if the church is prepared to go trough with it all the way. It would need a lot of legal research. Hopefully this Temple is the beginning of that. Note that the government is very likely going to continue the Ayahuasca case, so the word of the suppreme court may not be final. Especially with initiatives like this.

[Nature Boy]

I don't agree that special allowances should be made for religions concerning banned substances. Either let everyone use it, or no-one uses it. Anything else is simply unfair.

[Lunar Loops]

Surely this is nothing new, has this not already been tried by the thc ministry http://www.thc-ministry.org/ ?

[Pinkavvy]

Well, those of you outside the U.S. who don't know who Craig X is, of course it's a BS religious simply to skurt the laws. But Craig X is a very very powerful activist for legalization. He is the reasons why litereally thousands of medical users in california get their medication and have not been thrown in jail for it. If paying this new organization means that swip gets the legal defense of his legal team (the same team that have kept thousands out of jail for medical use) then swip will gladly pay the $100. Swip has personally spoke with Craig X and been to the compassion club he runs and sells some of the best weed in the world at and can assure you that the $100 retainer to get FREE legal defense from his WELL KNOWN, WELL RESPECTED, and very victorious attorneys is a good deal. Craig X is the reason why marijuana is basically legal in some parts of the united states.

Reputation Comments on this post:

[OneOfMany]

"I don't agree that special allowances should be made for religions concerning banned substances. Either let everyone use it, or no-one uses it. Anything else is simply unfair."

I have a feeling you're not too religious. I'm not either, but I can understand if others value their religious freedoms enough to put aside a government's duty to protect its citizens.

[Nature Boy]

The way I see it, one man's recreation is as important as another man's religion.

[antigenesis]

I was checking out his forums about the temple, and even though it doesn't (at first) look like a very valid organization, it has the legal firepower seemingly equivalent to the physical firepower of a Goldeneye Satellite Installation . If its still standing in a year or two, I'm sure I'll end up a member sooner or later .

PS - I like how you guys judge things as bullshit and sillyness when you hardly give it a second glace. If you would look closer you might actually fuckin see that this dude isnt some stupid little kid starting a 'YAY! WEED IS OUR RELIGION!" club.