LA Minister Cites Religious Protection In Marijuana Defense

[Ian David]

POSTED: 9:41 pm PDT July 24, 2007

LOS ANGELES -- A minister with mail order credentials who faces drug charges for distributing marijuana through his Hollywood church argued unsuccessfully Tuesday that federal law protects his use of the drug because he believes it is a religious sacrament.

The Rev. Craig X Rubin, 41, the leader of the 420 Temple who has appeared in episodes of the Showtime comedy "Weeds," faces up to seven years in prison if convicted of possessing marijuana for sale. Jury selection was set to begin Wednesday.

He and some 400 members of his church believe marijuana is a religious sacrament and burn and smoke pot during services. "We feel pot is the tree of life mentioned in the Bible, so it is incorporated into the ceremony," Rubin said before the hearing began.

Though he was ordained in 1990 by the Universal Life Church -- which, for a fee, will ordain anyone -- police and prosecutors describe Rubin as a drug dealer. The Beverly Hills-born minister was arrested last fall and freed after posting $20,000 bail.

More:
http://www.ktvu.com/news/13749655/detail.html

[thecrow]

1. He's just exerting executive privilege

from *GOD* !!!