Even without pot, police plans haven't changed for Cannabis Church service

Even though the founder of The First Church of Cannabis has told people to keep their marijuana out of Wednesday's inaugural service, police and neighborhood residents prepared to make the event inconvenient for the "cannaterians."

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department on Tuesday morning posted official "no parking" signs for blocks surrounding the church, which is in the middle of a residential Eastside neighborhood. Police said they were merely reinforcing existing law. Numerous residents posted their own no parking signs or strung yellow tape that said "caution" to keep cars off their property.

"This is going to be a mess," said Kate Morris, who lives across the street from the church. "These people come in, and they're not from this neighborhood. This is not a church. The word says 'cannabis.' A house of marijuana, apparently."

Sarah Taylor, who lives adjacent to the church, said police are going to use her property as a base for the noon service.

"I don't think it will be a big deal with their marijuana (Wednesday)," Taylor said. "But I do think there's going to be a lot of people who are upset they can't smoke. ... We don't know these people. That's the point. Everybody's worried about what's going to happen."

The service is scheduled on the day the state's Religious Freedom Restoration Act goes into effect. The church believes RFRA, which limits government encroachment on religious freedoms, in effect, legalizes marijuana at church.

But after a news conference by law enforcement officials warning about arrests at the service, the church announced Monday that it did not want people to bring marijuana to the service. Church founder and "Grand Poobah" Bill Levin said his lawyers believe they have a better chance of prevailing in civil court than criminal court.

IMPD chief Rick Hite said in a statement that police have not changed their plans because of the announcement by the church.

"Keeping with the community's request to maintain safety and security, IMPD's action plan will remain the same," Hite said. "This is a fluid situation that changes daily and we will continue to monitor the situation."

Lt. Richard Riddle, a police spokesman, said parking on streets near the church already is illegal because the streets are only 22 feet wide. Streets must be 24 feet wide for cars to park on the street legally.

"The posting of 'no parking' signs is a visual reminder of this restriction, which most people will not know exists," Riddle said. "Therefore, we hope to not have to ticket or tow too many cars from this area."

The website Cop Block, which says it documents abuse of police power, had a post dedicated to the church service. It encouraged people to show up with video recording devices.

"Join me in letting the police know that we are not afraid and we don't let them intimidate peaceful people," the post said.

The site also advised people not to consent to police searches.

"You must be suspected of a crime before you can be detained and searched," the post said. "Ask the officer to tell you what crime, by statute, that you are suspected of breaking. Make sure you record this!"

It's unclear how many people are expected to attend the service. On Tuesday, Levin wrote on his Facebook page that there will not be a tent in the parking lot behind the church, as previously planned, to accommodate an overflow crowd. He said there was a "paperwork snafu."

Any overflow crowd would be on the front lawn of the church with a monitor showing the service.

Levin wrote that the service would be a "CELEBRATION of Life's Great Adventure" and "fill our state with LOVE, POSITIVE ENERGY and COMPASSION."

"We will blossom with smiles around the world in harmony," he wrote. "We will not be stopped."

There will, however, be protestors, according to a Facebook post by The Sanctuary Church of Beech Grove.

"The police have asked if we could just show up and stand in a yard near the clubhouse (church) as a representation of the pulse of the people," the post said.

During a meeting with law enforcement, the pastor wrote, "obviously they were very much against anything that was anti-God which made the meeting very assuring."

It's unclear if police initiated the request for church members to show up outside the service. Police spokesmen did not immediately answer a request for comment.

Taylor said some people in the neighborhood will be passing out water bottles with Bible verses on them. But she was clear about the ultimate goal.

"We don't want them here," Taylor said, "and we're not going to stop until we get them out."

Contact Mark Alesia at (317) 444-6311. Follow him on Twitter: @markalesia.



