IRS Grants Tax Exempt Status To First Church Of Cannabis

[stromboli]

http://www.forbes.com/sites/robertwood/2015/06/01/irs-approves-first-church-of-cannabis-whats-next-for-marijuana/

Welcome to the First Church of Cannabis Inc., approved by Indiana’s Secretary of State under its controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Even bigger that state law approval, the church has even been granted tax-exempt status by the IRS. Tea Party conservatives evidently had a lot more trouble with their tax exemption applications. The stated intent of the upstart church is “to start a church based on love and understanding with compassion for all.”

Bill Levin is the self-described “Minister of Love and Grand Poobah” of the Church. The first church service is set for July 1, 2015. It is no coincidence that July 1 is the day the Indiana Religious Freedom Restoration Act takes effect. The church has a Facebook page with clever notes like “The Deity Dozen,” “Don’t be an asshole” and “Do not be a ‘troll’ on the Internet.”

The Indianapolis Star says First Church of Cannabis could test the new religious freedom law. And many are probably wondering if the Church of Cannabis is a real church. The State of Indiana and the IRS think so. For others, it may depend on how you define a church and how well this fits the pattern. There are some strange court cases that have looked at the question. For example, U.S. v. Myers, examined five factors to determine whether a “Church of Marijuana” was authentically religious: ultimate ideas, metaphysical beliefs, a moral system, comprehensiveness of beliefs, and the ‘accoutrements of religion,’ such as important writings, a priesthood, etc.


The Church says that “Cannabis, the ‘healing plant,’ is our sacrament.” Its founder plans to grow hemp. though the church will not buy or sell marijuana. But smoking in church will evidently be permitted. “If someone is smoking in our church, God bless them,” Levin said. “This is a church to show a proper way of life, a loving way to live life. We are called ‘cannataerians.’”

There are many tax advantages of church status and an IRS determination letter. Even compared to other tax-exempt organizations, church status is the crème de la crème. Churches reap a vast array of tax advantages. They even include special rules limiting IRS authority to audit a church. A “church” is not specifically defined in the tax code, but the IRS lays out buzzwords in its tax guide for churches and religious organizations, including these characteristics:

Distinct legal existence;
Recognized creed and form of worship;
Definite and distinct ecclesiastical government;
Formal code of doctrine and discipline;
Distinct religious history;
Membership not associated with any other church or denomination;
Organization of ordained ministers;
Ordained ministers selected after completing prescribed study;
Literature of its own;
Established places of worship;
Regular congregations;
Regular religious services;
Sunday schools for religious instruction of the young; and
Schools for preparing its members.
The IRS considers all facts and circumstances in assessing whether an organization qualifies. But unlike other exempt organizations, a church need not actually apply for tax exemption. Most churches do, but it is technically not required. The Nonprofit Risk Management Center reports that over one hundred 501(c)(3) organizations lose their tax-exempt status each year. The reasons vary, but the losses of tax-exempt status do suggest that the mere fact that the First Church of Cannabis obtained a tax exemption does not necessarily mean it will keep it forever.

This is significant. Being granted tax exempt status is what saved the Church of Scientology. It also raises a big issue in states where Marijuana is legal, because it is sold and taxed by the state. The religious freedom conundrum will get huge, because besides this you have the Church of Satan and Pastafarianism which has been semi-recognized by states that allow colanders in drivers license pictures and other "rights" including identifying as Pastafarian on the license.

Shit's getting deep. 

[Brian37]

Sorry but this is bullshit. We don't need more religion. Smoke pot or don't. I don't care, but this stupid tactic by the left of trying to gain tax exempt status to show the absurdity of standard religion is stupid. Not only stupid but allows a future where what is now seen as benign can go on to be as abusive as what they once railed against.

To assume that one advocate group in human history will maintain a civility by proxy of being a minority in the current, is our species stupidity. I am fine with education, and even non profit. I am however against mimicking others to compete.

[Mike Cl]

Can peyote be far behind?  The Temple of the Cacti.  Each seat will have not a spittoon but a vomittoon.   

[stromboli]

Can peyote be far behind?  The Temple of the Cacti.  Each seat will have not a spittoon but a vomittoon.   

Get them fresh without the white fuzz, scrape them thoroughly and buy a box of Oreo cookies to eat with them. I heard that somewhere.....

[AllPurposeAtheist]

Why not a tax exemption for the first church of jerking off to porn whilst dressed like Santa Claus?
I agree with Brian on this one.  Fight these fucking exemptions instead of acting as if they're of any value to our society.  They're not. 

[Mike Cl]

Get them fresh without the white fuzz, scrape them thoroughly and buy a box of Oreo cookies to eat with them. I heard that somewhere.....

My point, really, besides being sarcastic, was that native shaman have been using peyote forever in their religious rites.  Seems to me it should be legal and it seems as legit to me as eating Jesus every day in cracker form.

[stromboli]

My point, really, besides being sarcastic, was that native shaman have been using peyote forever in their religious rites.  Seems to me it should be legal and it seems as legit to me as eating Jesus every day in cracker form.

Actually some of the Peyote users- in Oregon- were denied tribal rights by the court. Oregon not being one of the states opting for religious freedom, the question of drug usage apparently took precedence over religion. And I agree overall, the religious exemption shit is stupid. I merely posted this to point out the results of declaring religious freedom as a statue-now you have people coming out of the woodwork for religious rights.

I think of it as holding your short sightedness up to the mirror so you can see it for what it is. The governor and state senators etc. of Indiana got to be some stupid SOB's if they didn't see this coming. Stick around, the shit will get deeper. And the other side of this is you are going to see civil rights vs religious rights activity in the courts like never before,  all the way to the Supreme Court, due at least in part to the Hobby Lobby decision. The Supremes get to see the results of that decision for sure.

[Mike Cl]

Actually some of the Peyote users- in Oregon- were denied tribal rights by the court. Oregon not being one of the states opting for religious freedom, the question of drug usage apparently took precedence over religion. And I agree overall, the religious exemption shit is stupid. I merely posted this to point out the results of declaring religious freedom as a statue-now you have people coming out of the woodwork for religious rights.

I think of it as holding your short sightedness up to the mirror so you can see it for what it is. The governor and state senators etc. of Indiana got to be some stupid SOB's if they didn't see this coming. Stick around, the shit will get deeper. And the other side of this is you are going to see civil rights vs religious rights activity in the courts like never before,  all the way to the Supreme Court, due at least in part to the Hobby Lobby decision. The Supremes get to see the results of that decision for sure.

Yes--I see the same as you.  I am looking forward to the coming shitstorm.  And those Indiana lawmakers are stupid SOB's--and that's on their good days!

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Sorry but this is bullshit. We don't need more religion. Smoke pot or don't. I don't care, but this stupid tactic by the left of trying to gain tax exempt status to show the absurdity of standard religion is stupid. Not only stupid but allows a future where what is now seen as benign can go on to be as abusive as what they once railed against.

To assume that one advocate group in human history will maintain a civility by proxy of being a minority in the current, is our species stupidity. I am fine with education, and even non profit. I am however against mimicking others to compete.

I suspect they're doing double duty here. First, they get to get high legally. Second, they're pointing out the absurdity of religion in general. Works for me, either or both.

[stromboli]

I suspect they're doing double duty here. First, they get to get high legally. Second, they're pointing out the absurdity of religion in general. Works for me, either or both.

Eggzackly.

[SGOS]

I think of it as holding your short sightedness up to the mirror so you can see it for what it is.

I'll assume the lovers of religious freedom (in other words, the "freedom of Christian dominance"), honestly don't understand the Pandora's Box they want to open.  It's hard enough for legal minds to see the consequences, sometimes.