I am wondering what kind of suggestions I would get from ULC and members on making my Cannabis Church more "Legitimate".

I found only one article here asking about how legit, THC Ministries (ordained through ULC) was. It really only progressed with most people not understanding.

We also have ULC Minister Eddy Lepp - Overruled that he couldn't even use Religious rights as protection. This case since "he didn't know enough about the Rastafarian religion". This almost sounds like a random instance, but in the case for Temple 420, they also told Craig X Rubin (ULC Minister) that he couldn't claim Religious use either, that the Religious Freedom act dosen't apply.

It aslo sounds like Eddy Lepp made it a point to infom the DEA and CA of what he was doing, so they knew what was going on, untill they found his plantation, it sounds as they had no offences. (ULC Blog on this - http://blog.themonastery.org/2009/05/thou-...ense.html#links )

I personally have beleived that God has given us cannabis for our healing, purity and refuge. So with these ideas rejected by my Southern Baptist church. So I left and got ordained by the ULC in 2003.

I am working though to persue this farther, and get more than outreach, but I don't know how the best way to go about it.

According to the 1st Amendment, State and Federal it is 100% LEGAL, long as we don't harm others. This is also confirmed by The Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993, 42 U.S.C. 2000bb et seq, and further verified by the case of “Gonzales vs. O Centro Espirita Beneficiente Uniao do Vegetal” where another chuch uses Peyote.

I would like to keep good relations with the Feds and State. If need be helping them with people who are misusing the drug to create "Domestic Terror" or otherwise bring harm to others.

All the lawyers I've asked so far are not intrested in assisting. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks,
Peace,

If you are looking for legal assistance, you should contact an organization called NORML - National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. They have a list of lawyers that recommend in every state.

www.norml.org

I did that in a brief sweep. Sent my state NORML Lawyers emails.

No one replied back. I am guessing that needs perused more vigorously. Most lawyers don't want their name with it.

I don't understand. I'd think they would want to make sure people have their religious rights. I know in a court case with another brother of mine his lawyers would hear threats and leave. He ended up representing himself, and so far God's handling it, but wow... I'd prefer to keep best terms with the law.

I thought I'd check out ULC and see what suggestions they have.

People are really silly with this subject as it is. I see full legitimacy in it.

The almighty YHWH provides.

Why would we have a plant that provides us with 50,000 Uses for things we need. This stops world trade from being as needed as well as making communities self sufficient.

It also has the properties to help us spead the word, as well as clothe us with cloth of one material as described in the old testament. With many other properties. Once it was law you had to grow cannabis sativa to pay your taxes. When it wasn't it was still good as gold. Poor people could throw out seed, and pick it, trade it like scrap metal or so, for if was worth so much.

Not to mention God says to test things for whats good and keep them as that. In the least, we should NOT be calling it evil.

That totially throws off the beast and controll system though. So I think the odds are against us. Except for the fact that the Almighty himself is behind us. We are following his law.

Just thought I'd hit up the ULC forums, and see if their were suggestions to do about it. Another reason I didn't hit up NORML real hard is their M. They are mainly focused on the "Marijuana" which is just a really a dirty word for Cannabis Sativa when you look at the history. Jack Herer (jackherer.com - Activist) dig up the hidden uses for Cannabis and found it was "Hemp" thanking this to NORML they thought it was crazy for years and didn't want to claim the flowers they wanted to smoke was a important historical plant, medicine and provider. Now the've picked it up, but feels like using the Lobbiers for wine to help your communion.

Peace

Seriously, Are you high right now? Or are you watching the episode of "Family Guy" where Brian the dog advocates for legalizing pot? Hemp was not originally raised for smoking but for sisal, which is the fibrous content of the plant. Hemp, grown in its original state, and before genetic manipulation, had very little THC content and smoking it would have been like, well...smoking a rope.

Your argument is baseless and pointless as we can also make the same argument for Poppies, whose seeds we eat on bagels. But others refine it into opiates and heroin, one of the most addictive and horrendous drugs know to mankind. And yes, medicine. But these products can be used just like people use the Bible or the Quran, in a good and positive way, or, to corrupt in an attempt to gain power and control over others. And even responsible physicians and pharmacologists advise and put warnings referencing the dangerous side effects of these substances, not to drive or operate machinery, that they may cause drowsiness, black-outs, forgetfulness, and dizziness. That proves the human functions, including thinking, have been impaired. Therein, the so-called "logic" of your argument falls apart. Why do you think so many recovering addicts and alcoholics and so opposed to promoting these substances? Because of the real potential for abuse and the devastating effects it has had on their own lives and the lives of those around them. They have had their epiphanies and revelations in moments of lucidity and clarity of mind. They have chosen to follow a more righteous path having seen the error of their ways and the wreckage of their pasts. They have sought and received forgiveness from those they have harmed and have been set free of their guilt and shame.

And Plleease.....don't even think of saying that my people, Native Americans, smoked it in their pipes, because marijuana was not an indigenous plant to either of the North or South American continents!!! And the same is true of the peyote ceremony which came from one singular group of South American Indians who used it only as an occasional ceremonial experience. It did not show up in the contiguous 48 states (brought here by a Jesuit priest) and used by other tribes until the 1800's. In that respect, the peyote use amongst Native Americans is deplorable and not a true "traditional" ceremony. The substance was provided to them as a tool for Europeans to confuse these people, much the same as alcohol was given to them, knowing they could acquire anything from them when they were intoxicated. And by traditional, I'm speaking of before Europeans landed in America. After the influence of Christian-Judeo religions, the term traditional started to mean after their arrival and subsequent takeover.

The argument over the man arrested and then claiming "Rosta" was his religion is another joke. When the judge questioned him about the doctrines and precepts of his claimed religious affiliation, he had zero knowledge on it....and that's why he was busted! Again, sort of like religious zealots using sacred texts to justify and rationalize their barbaric acts against other humans. They manipulate the Truth like herbologists manipulate the genetic potency of the THC content in pot....Come on! There is nothing righteous about using mind-altering chemicals in any form. It is a delusion and a deception and it alienates us from communicating with our Creator with a clear mind. Remember, 99% truth and 1% untruth, still makes it a lie. You have submitted as a child, to the lie.....God's Peace....To`na Wanagi

"There is nothing righteous about using mind-altering chemicals in any form."

While I agree with most of your post, I find this to be a pretty strong statement that goes beyond the topic of a person wanting to use religion to justify getting high. Pain killers are definitely a mind altering chemical as are drugs like xanax and prozac, yet they are commonly prescribed. Many states see medical marijuana as a respectable treatment for diseases like cancer and multiple sclerosis. The alternative drugs are highly addictive and really do not even work that well for some people. There are reports of people with multiple sclerosis who use marijuana
who were wheelchair bound before smoking marijuana. Now they can walk when other treatments failed them. I do see that as righteous as the quality of life is important.

Dream Vivid.

There is a drug derived from pot called THC and it has been formulated into a tablet and has been used since the late 70's as an aid for cancer and AIDS patients. There is no need to smoke it. As well, most medicines have been derived from various plants and there is no need to abuse them as "social use" or religious use. I have no problem with proper medications being prescribed by a dr. and used as directed. There is a proper place for medications in our world and I will not vilify the use of correct mdications.

But one has to be in extreme denial not to see the abuses of prescription medications that plague our world today. (I presume these are what you call "alternative drugs"?)Doctors are also human and are subject to the same greed, avarice and deceptions as any other human being. They frequently overprescibe pain medications to their patients because that's what the patient wants...not necessarily what they need. There are also "doctor shoppers" who go from one clinic to another until they find a dr. who will write a script for what they want.(consider the recent death of Michael Jackson) It's an easy out for the doctor who has no real interest in the Hippocratic Oath or interest in the whinings of patients who have become addicted to medications. How do I know? Because it happened to me.

And I discovered there are other ways of dealing with chronic pain than to take a pill. It has to do with a spiritual path and coming to terms with one's affliction by embracing the circumstances in one's life as a part of one's spiritual journey. It is a long and arduous path, frought with obstacles that provide us with all types of lessons and messages. But it is an amazing experience well worth the hard work! I have been completely presciption drug free for 9 years and free of illegal ones for 28 years, free of alcohol for 14 years and free of tobacco for 8 1/2 years. I no longer even take acetaminophen to lessen the pain from my previous 3 back surgeries. I embrace the pain and recognize that, through my weakness, the power of the spirit is made strong. It fills me with more joy and peace than any mind-altering chemical could ever do, legal or illegal. But that is what works for me and many others I know who travel this path. It is not for the faint of heart, nor do I advise it for anyone until they have had this spiritual awakening. Without the experience of a spiritual awakening and giving all to the Creator, it will not work anyway.

It is my contention that all of the sickness and evil that moves about our world today is the result of a very deep soul-sickness, a spiritual blight that affects hundreds of millions of people who are looking for an easy way out and who will go to any length to justify and rationalize their dependencies on chemicals, religions, principalities, and relationships. Their problem is that they seek a solution outwardly, when in fact, the solution lies within.....God's Peace and Love....To`na Wanagi