GOD ON HIGH Inside Colorado ‘s psychedelic Church of CANNABIS

Soft Secrets
26 Jul 2017

GOD ON HIGH Inside Colorado ‘s psychedelic Church of CANNABIS where chilled-out worshippers smoke joints in the pews while listening to rock music

IN the book of Exodus, Moses witnesses a burning bush – and now in 2017, bushes continue to be burnt in biblical settings.

IN the book of Exodus, Moses witnesses a burning bush – and now in 2017, bushes continue to be burnt in biblical settings.

These are the psychedelic images of the world’s first International Church of Cannabis in Denver, Colorado. The International Church of Cannabis in Denver is more colourful than your average place of worship Resident Andrea Camp, from left, gets a light from Lakewood resident Kimm Miller, as Mia Jane smokes [caption id="attachment_9292" align="alignnone" width="960"] Worshippers are encouraged to smoke cannabis in the pews[/caption] An abandoned Lutheran church, which has a stood in Denver since the early 1900s, has reopened as a place of worship for the followers of brand new religion ‘Elevationism.’ The International Church of Cannabis is dedicated to the spiritual benefits of cannabis, and unsurprisingly its worshippers ingest the ‘holy’ plant. [caption id="attachment_9293" align="alignnone" width="960"] The abandoned church was reopened as a place of worship for the followers of brand new religion ‘Elevationism’[/caption] [caption id="attachment_9294" align="alignnone" width="960"] The International Church of Cannabis is dedicated to the ‘spiritual benefits of cannabis’[/caption] [caption id="attachment_9296" align="alignnone" width="960"] The church had fallen into dereliction before it transformed[/caption] [caption id="attachment_9297" align="alignnone" width="960"] The new owners have completely transformed the building by painting bright, psychedelic colours inside the chapel[/caption] [caption id="attachment_9298" align="alignnone" width="960"] Orlando resident Felipe Crespo, left, smokes with Tampa Bay resident Cory Weckerle[/caption] [caption id="attachment_9299" align="alignnone" width="960"] The church was founded by Steve Berke and Lee Molloy[/caption] It had fallen into dereliction, but the new owners have completely transformed the building by painting bright, psychedelic colours inside the chapel. Worshippers are encouraged to smoke marijuana in the pews and rather than the traditional choir group, a rock band has played in the revamped church. The church opened on the 20th April this year (a meaningful date in American weed culture) and has faced opposition. Local representatives attempted to block the church for tarnishing people’s religious beliefs. However it was quickly struck down as an infringement on freedom of religion. Co-founer Lee Molloey said: “The International Church of Cannabis’ mission is to offer a home to adults everywhere who are looking to create the best version of themselves by way of the sacred plant. “We have around 30-40 people come to our Friday evening gathering. We have more than 2,500 signed up as online members. [caption id="attachment_9300" align="alignnone" width="960"] The church itself is a converted Lutheran church[/caption] [caption id="attachment_9301" align="alignnone" width="960"] It’s a space where you can smoke up with fellow weed smokers[/caption] [caption id="attachment_9302" align="alignnone" width="960"] The ceiling of the International Church of Cannabis, Denver, Colorado[/caption] [caption id="attachment_9303" align="alignnone" width="960"] The International Church of Cannabis opens its doors on April 20, the unofficial annual marijuana holiday[/caption] [caption id="attachment_9304" align="alignnone" width="960"] Local representatives attempted to block the church for tarnishing people’s religious beliefs[/caption] [caption id="attachment_9305" align="alignnone" width="960"] But it was quickly struck down as an infringement on freedom of religion[/caption] [caption id="attachment_9306" align="alignnone" width="960"] The newly opened church is now starting to perform weed weddings[/caption] [caption id="attachment_9307" align="alignnone" width="960"] The church has more than 2,500 signed up as online members[/caption] [caption id="attachment_9308" align="alignnone" width="960"] Colorado legalised marijuana in 2012[/caption] [caption id="attachment_9309" align="alignnone" width="960"] Interior view of the International Church of Cannabis[/caption]

So far thing have been going great. We are slowly building up our congregation. The neighbourhood is beginning to accept us, and we are fighting through our legal battles.”

Colorado effectively legalised marijuana in 2012. Citizens are allowed to grow up to six plants and carry an ounce with them. SOURCE
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