Indiana

Pot smokers will be arrested at First Church of Cannabis

(Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons)

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indianapolis authorities say they’re prepared to arrest people who use or share marijuana at a pot-smoking church formed to test Indiana’s new religious objections law.

Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry and Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Chief Rick Hite said Friday that they are frustrated that they have to devote resources to Wednesday’s service at the First Church of Cannabis.

Curry says the religious objections law isn’t a legitimate defense to committing a crime and called on lawmakers to repeal the measure that Gov. Mike Pence signed into law in March.

Church founder Bill Levin has said he views pot-smoking as a religious practice and is testing the law that gives people the right to follow their religious practices without government interference.

The Internal Revenue Service has granted the church tax-exempt status.

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