God's Church of Cannabis may be first test for Indiana 'religious freedom' act

Members of God’s Church of Cannabis are happy to finally be able to practice their religion.

Or can they?

Jeannie Renninger is starting a new church in Coesse that is quickly becoming popular.

God’s Church of Cannabis is for cannabitarians and is a religion she has been a part of since 2001, when she became an ordained minister.

Since Governor Mike Pence signed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act last week, Renninger has been working to open her own church at her residence in Coesse.

The church would be the second of its kind in Indiana, as another was made official in Indianapolis after the bill was passed.

Renninger said she is good friends with the Indianapolis church’s founder, Bill Levin, and the Coesse church will be similar to his.

So far, Renninger said over 20 people have asked to become members of the church.

“We smoke in honor of God,” Renninger said. “This is a plant he has produced for us for medicinal healing. We are doing this for God.”

Secretary of State Connie Lawson approved the church as a religious corporation with the intent “to start a church based on love and understanding for all” — the same motto the Coesse church is following.

Renninger said she plans to file the paperwork for her church this week, but until then, the church will refrain from smoking or growing marijuana. She expects the paperwork to become official by next week.

The church will be located in a small barn/shed on Renninger’s property at 5112 E. McJunkin St. She said the church will hold regular Sunday services and more throughout the week as the church grows. Eventually, she would like to move the church to its own facility.

“I was so much a part of this religion before the law passed,” Renninger said. “We want to teach the goodness of God. What life should be like. Maybe we can help a whole bunch of people.

“It’s not all about smoking pot.”

Renninger said she has overcame cancer four times through natural methods, and believes marijuana and natural oils can be a good substitute for medications and chemicals.

“I didn’t take the medications that the doctor wanted me to take, and I’m glad I didn’t,” Renninger said. “Some of those medicines have been recalled. There’s no recall on God’s work. He didn’t screw up in the lab.”

Renninger said she is happy that the new law will help her to treat her daughter who has the start of glaucoma.

“With the new law, I don’t have to be scared about using God’s medicine to help my child,” Renninger said.

Or does she?

Indiana Criminal Law still states that marijuana is illegal for both medicinal and recreational use.

The church could be the county’s first test of the new RFRA, which states that it prevents the government from substantially burdening a person’s exercise of religion if it can demonstrate that it is the least restrictive means of furthering a compelling governmental interest.

Law enforcement officials say they will continue business as usual.

“Marijuana is illegal in the state of Indiana,” said Bill Brice, Whiltey County Sheriff’s detective. “It will have to be tested in the court system.”

Brice and Columbia City Police Chief Tim Longenbaugh said their departments will continue to pursue and investigate illegal drug cases, until told otherwise by Whitley County Prosecutor Matt Rentschler.

Rentschler is out of the office this week and not available for comment.

Regardless of local officials’ opinions, Renninger said her church is ready.

“We are absolutely prepared for a legal battle,” Renninger said. “I don’t care how many times I get arrested. I have a right to practice my faith. If I get arrested for this, there could be some cops that get in trouble for not allowing me to practice my religion.”

Renninger said she encourages everyone to explore the medicinal uses of marijuana, even children.

“Parents should consider using marijuana rather than man-made drugs,” Renninger said. “I will encourage them to discuss that option with their child’s pediatrician.

“This is what we want to teach. God wants people to learn.”

Regardless of the legal safety Renninger and her attorney, Patrick Arata, say she has, law enforcement officials say otherwise.

“If they are smoking marijuana, that is a violation of state law. We would treat the case as usual,” said Chief Longenbaugh. “As of now, there aren’t any exemptions to make it legal in Indiana.”

Superior Court Judge Doug Fahl said the local court system will likely be a stepping stone into state court for the impending case.

“They obviously aren’t trying to hide the fact that they will be using marijuana, so it’s just a matter of time before this ends up in court,” Fahl said.

He said the defense will likely argue the new RFRA as its allowance, however it may be difficult to prove.

“There’s a balancing test to determine how much the state can limit our religious freedom,” Fahl said. “The court will have to put the plusses and minuses of both sides to the test. It is always interesting to hear new and creative arguments.”