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Melissa Hutsell is an award-winning freelance journalist with a deep rooted passion for both community and international journalism. She was born and raised in Northern California, and has lived, studied, worked, and traveled in more 20 different countries. Melissa holds a Master's degree in Global Journalism from City University London, as well as degrees in Journalism and Globalization from Humboldt State University. Though she covers various topics as both a writer and editor, she specializes in business and cannabis journalism.
The International Church Of Cannabis
Cannabis connoisseurs will have yet another reason to rejoice this 4/20. Not only does this date mark the unofficial, annual marijuana holiday, but it will also mark the grand opening of the International Church of Cannabis.
The church, located in Denver, Colorado, is home to the headquarters of Elevation Miniseries, a nonprofit organization, which recognizes cannabis as a primary sacrament.
Unsurprisingly, the opening of the church has been met with criticism as some question whether its role is social rather than religious. The church’s founders, however, state that they are well within their first amendments rights. The organization’s lawyer compares the use of cannabis to other religious sacraments. “Elevationists’ ritual use of cannabis is not unlike the serving of wine during communion in Christian churches," Sederberg said.
Elevation Ministries did receive a zoning permit to operate a church, but city officials said the open and public use of cannabis is not permitted, and “there’s not a religious exemption to that”.
In the meantime, the church plans to celebrate the opening with a three-day event, called “Elevate 2017”. The event will be showcased live on Facebook, and will include guest speakers, documentaries, and comedian performances.
