Calif. Minister Cites Religious Protection in Marijuana Defense

A Hollywood church that burned marijuana during services and distributed it to members is protected under federal law because the drug is a religious sacrament, the leader of the congregation argued in a hearing before his drug possession trial Tuesday. 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 Tuesday afternoon.

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

Rubin, who is representing himself, has asserted his protection under a 1993 federal law designed to prevent government from imposing laws that restrict religious freedoms.

"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.

Deputy District Attorney Bob Chen told Superior Court Judge Mary H. Strobel there have been no cases in California where marijuana use was acceptable for religious reasons.

Details here from the AP via Law.com.