Holy Herb

April 20 is a huge holiday for cannabis lovers, and this year Easter happens just a few days before it. The average person might not consider these communities as related in any way, but in fact there are a number of cannabis churches that are beginning to sprout up around the world. While many churches of cannabis don’t celebrate Easter Sunday, they all share an understanding of what unites the people who are drawn to these organizations. With legalization becoming more prevalent, cannabis churches have become increasingly popular, but it’s not just the top-shelf joints that keep people coming back.

In Colorado, where cannabis has been recreationally legal for a few years now, the GreenFaith Ministry led by Reverend Brandon Baker, started in 2006. The church claims over 6,000 members, 1,000 who have obtained a certificate of faith, and some of the members have been practicing for over a decade. Reverend Baker performs marriages on 420 yearly and constantly spreads the church’s religious word, writings, heritage and culture. “We pray daily, as much as possible and have at least one gathering of some kind each week,” he told CULTURE. Having experienced divine intervention and the power of the plant, Reverend Baker encourages truth and sincerity. “I love our faith—it just pours out of us with every exhale of cannabis smoke.”

“Everyone who has reached a consciousness to become part of this Church realizes within their conscience that they should smoke ganja . . . We believe that heaven is on Earth when we dwell together in peace.”

Now, cannabis still isn’t legal in Indiana, but the state is home to The First Church of Cannabis in Indianapolis. The “Grand Poohbah” himself, Bill Levin, said they’re currently suing Vice President Mike Pence for the right to consume cannabis during services. Founded March 2015, Levin’s biggest message is, “Equality, compassion, good health, fellowship and love are the traits of a true Cannaterian,” as well as encouraging laughter, smiles and hugs. Believing that each day stands for something (live, love, laugh, learn, create, grow and teach), the church holds events on each day and live-streams the events through Facebook. Janet Golden-Hogan, also known as Granny J, is instrumental in keeping the church organized. This particular church lives by “The Deity Dozen,” a set of guidelines to live by, such as “Don’t be an asshole. Treat everyone with love as an equal.” That is a teaching that everyone can get on board with.

Michigan has the First Cannabis Church of Logic and Reason (FCCLR). Founder and Reverend Jeremy Hall said, “The more people I spoke to about religion, and the more people I found who had similar thoughts on the matter, a pattern emerged that involved cannabis use.” Conceptualized in May 2015 and became a nonprofit by January 2017, FCCLR meets on the last Sunday every month as an agnostic group that does not abide to an organized religion. “We instead choose to focus on the things that transcend organized religion, ‘Golden Rules’ if you will. ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you’ . . . We do not ask for any tithes or require any monetary donations for membership. Instead we ask that any money you would normally give go toward random acts of kindness.”

The Ethiopian Zion Coptic Church of Jamaica (EZCC) started in 1976 and is rooted in Christianity. With the intention of representing what they believe to be the true meaning of the Bible, EZCC members do not recognize holidays like Easter. “Every day is the same with the Lord,” said Brother Jacob. To them, God isn’t some spirit in the sky either. Brother Jacob explains, “The God the Bible directs us to, the God that all of the prophets direct us to is a living God inside of mankind.” Most importantly, they view cannabis as a natural blessing from God. “Everyone who has reached a consciousness to become part of this Church realizes within their conscience that they should smoke ganja . . . We believe that heaven is on Earth when we dwell together in peace.”

Know who else dwells in peace? The Sisters of the Valley in Merced, California. They are not a members of a church, they’re nuns, so don’t get it twisted. Sister Kate made it clear, “We wear the uniform not to mock the Catholic nuns, as they are going extinct, and that would be in poor taste. We wear the uniform to give honor to a plant that has been dishonored for 100 years. We wear the uniform as a meditative practice of being in touch with our ancient ancestral mothers. We wear it to announce to the people our profession, as a uniform, and to honor our people as Regalia.” Their tribe doesn’t just have Sisters, however. They have three Brothers and approximately a dozen others that consider themselves members. They consider themselves to be Beguine revivalists. Sister Kate puts it simply, “The Beguines pre-dated Christianity and though they lived together, dressed alike and prayed together, their mission was not to spread any kind of dogma. Their mission was to rescue women from poverty and give them independence and property (wealth). They were very good at it.”

With all of these organizations, the one thing that truly unites them is their understanding and love for cannabis. Reverend Jeremy Hall said it best, “Our most important belief is in the healing power of cannabis. This plant has the ability to not only heal our minds and body, but can save the entire planet from the current destructive course that it’s on . . . By becoming upstanding citizens who take care of our community, we can show the world just how beneficial cannabis can be, changing public perception one person at a time.” Whether becoming a member of a cannabis church interests you or not, the cannabis community as a whole can look forward to continuing to be a part of that change.