The Cannabis Church
A Rastafarian church in Madison, Wisconsin is getting attention for distributing marijuana…as a sacrament…although according to the Madison State Journal, city officials are trying their best to stop it.
Lion of Judah House of Rastafari church is run by Jesse R. Schworck and Dylan Paul Bangert, who have been accepting marijuana donations to distribute to parishioners. The two have argued that the practice is based in religion and is not breaking any laws.
On its Facebook page, the church describes itself as “Wisconsin’s first & only lawful Rastafari cannabis sanctuary.”
The church has been fighting legal battles with Madison officials since March. In fact, on March 26, Madison police had reportedly confiscated several jars of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
On April 10, the church’s landlord received a formal notice of public nuisance from the police, on account of the property “being used to facilitate the delivery, distribution or manufacture of a controlled substance.”
Two days later, the Madison city attorney’s office delivered a cease and desist drug nuisance letter to Schworck and Bangert stating the sale of marijuana or THC products is illegal in Madison and in Wisconsin.
“These things have been blessed since the beginning,” Schworck said. “We just live life according to life itself. It’s what we know. We talk it and walk it. We are exercising inalienable rights.”
Not everyone is against the use of marijuana, Madison Alderman, Mike Verveer said he believes marijuana should be legalized, but Schworck and Bangert are not following the law.
“If indeed they are a bona fide church, they have a right to operate within the city zoning code,” Verveer said. “That does not give them the right to openly flout state law. I do support the city attorney’s effort to end the illegal sale of weed there.”
Schworck and Bangert disagree with the disputes, saying, “We’re not trying to convert people to something,” Schworck said.“If they have an inclination to learn more, we’re willing to share more.”
City officials remain firm in their stance.
