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Indiana Cannabis Church Sues State Over Laws Prohibiting Cannabis Use

July 8, 2015

The First Church of Cannabis, located in Indianapolis, filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against the city and the state of Indiana, claiming laws against possession and use of cannabis infringe on its religious beliefs.

The First Church of Cannabis, formed after the passage of Indiana’s Religious Freedom Act, filed its lawsuit in Marion Circuit Court in Indianapolis, naming multiple defendants including Governor Mike Pence.

IRS Grants Tax-Exempt Status to Cannabis Church

June 1, 2015

Indiana’s First Church of Cannabis, which was given approval recently by the state’s Secretary of State, has been granted tax-exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

The First Church of Cannabis, which approval comes after state lawmakers passed the controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act, is a church “based on love and understanding with compassion for all”, which considers cannabis a “healing plant”, according to the church’s Facebook page.

Indiana: Cannabis Church Given State Approval After Passage of Religious Freedom Act

April 6, 2015

Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson has given approval to the First Church of Cannabis, a church “based on love and understanding with compassion for all”, which considers cannabis a “healing plant”. The approval comes after state lawmakers approved the controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

Bill Levin, founder of the church, filed paperwork with the state almost immediately after Governor Mike Pence signed the Act into law; he quickly received an approval letter from Secretary of State Connie Lawson.