The First Church of Cannabis in Indiana has been granted tax-exemption status by the Internal Revenue Services (IRS), boosting its status as a religious institution and potentially opening the door for marijuana legalization in the state. And all this may be possible thanks to the state’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

When Indiana Governor Mike Pence signed into law the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), little did he know that the controversial bill may one day open the door for marijuana legalization. The act – which allows business owners and individuals to deny services on religious grounds – was the subject of nationwide scrutiny, with many saying it does more to legalize discrimination against LGBTQ people than it does to protect religious freedom.

By fiercely defending the bill and signing it into law, however, it seems that Pence has unwittingly given those who view marijuana as sacrament credibility. Or at least that’s what the Church of Cannabis made sure of. Bill Levin, capitalizing on the many other implications of RFRA, founded the Church shortly after the RFRA bill was passed.

In yet another unexpected twist, the IRS has granted the Church with a non-exemption status on Wednesday, the same day Pence celebrated the new Act with a signing ceremony.

Levin shared the announcement on the group’s new religious status on Facebook.

Facebook/The First Church of Cannabis Announcement of Church's Tax-Exempt Status

Getting the status from the IRS will mean much more for the Church than having tax-deductible donations. For one thing, it will make it more difficult for the state of Indiana, where marijuana possession is illegal, to maintain that the organization’s philosophy and activities, i.e., smoking pot, isn’t protected by the same law they so hastily passed.

According to Indiana attorney and political commentator Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, the Act can very easily be used by followers of the Church to legalize smoking pot.

"I would argue that under RFRA," he wrote, "as long as you can show that reefer is part of your religious practices, you got a pretty good shot of getting off scott-free."

Since the IRS is really the only government body that has the authority to classify a group as a religion, the exemption will also boost the Church’s credibility as a religious organization.

With the tax exempt status, the Church is now looking to set up a space for worship and hopes to begin services on July 1, the day RFRA goes into effect. To meet that goal, the Church is still fundraising and founder Bill Levin is seeking donations, appropriately enough, in the amount of $4.20 each.