Minister tells court marijuana is a sacrament

Mail-order minister of church that uses, sells drug claims federal protection

How we worship

	Christianity Brazilians get baptized in Israel, a megachurch opens in Houston, and devotees carry a cross in the Philippines.
	Islam Whirling dervishes perform in Turkey, pilgrims gather in Mecca, and an elderly man is doused with holy water.
	Judaism Jews pray at the Mount of Olives, matzoh is baked in Brooklyn, and thousands of rabbis pose for a group photo.
	Hinduism and more Japanese ascetics hang from a cliff, Shinto believers pray in ice water and a 60-foot statue takes a colorful bath.

Video: Faith

More video

Jesus-lover uses big rigs to attack Hollywood
July 9: A Jesus-loving trucker uses big rigs to fight Hollywood. KNSD's Derek Togerson reports.

Ancient religion struggles to survive

Synagogue performs same-sex ceremonies

Exorcism called 'abusive'

Water fight celebrates saint

RSS feeds on msnbc.com

Add these headlines to your news reader

Faith

Learn more about RSS

updated 1:11 p.m. ET July 26, 2007

LOS ANGELES - The mail-order minister of a Hollywood church that burns marijuana during services and allegedly sells it to members says that’s protected under federal law because the drug is a religious sacrament.

But Judge Mary Strobel has ruled that the Reverend Craig X. Rubin can’t use federal law as a defense because he faces only state charges.

Rubin, who’s representing himself at his drug trial, says members of his Temple 420 believe that marijuana is the tree of life mentioned in the Bible.

Story continues below ↓

advertisement | your ad here

Though ordained in 1990 by the Universal Life Church, police and prosecutors describe Rubin as a drug dealer. He faces up to seven years in prison if convicted of possessing marijuana for sale.

The 41-year-old Rubin has no legal experience, and says he spent last weekend praying and smoking marijuana with Indians in a sweat lodge at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.

More faith and religion stories on msnbc.com
Catholic university invites Tutu to speak
Muslim leaders reach out to Christians
Seeking common ground on abortion
Video: Faith in America — Buddhists in the heartland
Author follows every Bible rule for a year
Video: Faithless in America