Does Indiana have too much religious freedom?
Mar 31, 2015, 5:54 AM | Updated: 12:17 pm
(AP)
Could Indiana have approved a little too much religious freedom?
Indiana is under a lot of pressure to revise its Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which was primarily intended to protect Christian bakers from having to serve fancy desserts at gay weddings.
Related: Washington governor: No state-funded travel to Indiana
But one Indiana attorney says this law may not be as backward as people seem to think.
“Because it got me to thinking that there are some religious faiths that marijuana is part of their sacrament. Someone could be creative and say if they were caught with a joint, all they’re doing is exercising their religious beliefs,” said Abdul-hakim Aziz.
Aziz runs the Indy Politics blog and says that whatever the law’s effect on gay people, a more immediate effect might be to legalize marijuana. Because it lets you use religious belief as a defense unless there’s some compelling state interest.
And with 23 states now looking the other way when it comes to marijuana – good luck proving that.
And sure enough. On the day Indiana’s bill was signed, the state’s most famous pot activist, Bill Levin, filed paperwork with the Secretary of State’s office to register the First Church of Cannabis, Inc.
And Mr. Aziz assured me it’s not just an April Fool’s joke
“Officially filed the paperwork. They are now legitimate church,” Aziz said.
So Indiana’s religious freedom law might make it a little tougher to get a cake for your gay wedding, but it might make it a lot easier to get those special brownies for the after party.