Believers Plan Cannabis-Burning Event at D.C. Basilica During Eclipse

U.S. News & World Report ^ | July 18

[deplorableindc]

A group that believes there is an ancient and little-known connection between Christianity and cannabis plans to burn oil full of psychoactive cannabinoids inside the nation's largest Roman Catholic church during the solar eclipse on August 21.

Anne Armstrong, a longtime cannabis activist and leader of Rhode Island’s Healing Church, says she will be shocked if the group’s request for a chapel is denied by the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.

Armstrong believes that “the church will say, ‘Welcome, Deaconess Anne, and what room would you like?’” But if she cannot reserve space, Armstrong says she will simply walk in and use a vacant nook off the cavernous building's central nave.

“It’s a big place, it’s a Monday afternoon,” she says, predicting turnout of about 75 people. "We don't need the basilica's permission to have a prayer service in a chapel."

[LukeL]

You don’t need permission to use the church?

[Mercat]

I doubt they will say, “deaconess Ann.”

[Mercat]

It’s really big. Amazing place.

[nopardons]

Now that the church is forewarned, I hope that they have police stationed there.

[mikrofon]

I’ve heard of cafeteria Catholics, but not cannabis Catholics…

[Steely Tom]

A quick Google search of "Anne Armstrong cannabis" reveals that Ms. Armstrong is essentially an exhibitionist who's modality is to smoke and use pot in public places, and when she runs into legal trouble for doing so, claims a religious exemption from drug laws on the basis of her belief system.

I believe this approach worked in the case of a Native American tribe, in a case settled some years back. They didn't claim the right to go to churches and other public venues to undertake their religious ceremonies, IIRC.

[ameribbean expat]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethiopian_Zion_Coptic_Church

Growing up, these guys were always in the news.

[colorado tanker]

The fire marshal might have something to say about this too.

[VanShuyten]

I hope they don’t think the eclipse passes through DC. Then they’ll be high, busted, and disappointed.

[Mrs. Don-o]

"We don't need the basilica's permission to have a prayer service in a chapel."

Then let's invite about 1500 people to come have the service in your living room, mk?

[a fool in paradise]

enchantress Ann

[Gay State Conservative]

Ancient and little known? Of *course* there is.

[cicero2k]

Totality will pass through South Carolina. Eclipse will still be unnoticed in DC.

I will be in Madras Oregon on 8/21. Any other Freepers?

[DAR]

Going to Smokies supposed to be there 2:35 pm on the 21st.

[Albion Wilde]

"Deaconess Anne, step outside the chapel with your hands up."

[kallisti]

I’ll be in Edgefield County, SC.

[T-Bone Texan]

There used to be, in the early days of the interweb, a site called Christians For Cannabis dot com.

They took a single sentence from the Bible and ran with it!

[VanShuyten]

Mrs. VanShuyten and I will be sitting in my brother’s back yard in Tennessee, sipping adult beverages while wearing our eclipse glasses.

No pictures, please.