Los Angeles, USA - A minister arrested for marijuana possession has sued the Police Department for $30 million, contending his civil and religious rights were violated because he heads a church that uses pot during worship.
''Our congregation mandates members study the Bible, have faith in God and regularly burn the herb cannabis (The Tree of Life mentioned in the Bible) as sacrament,'' according to the lawsuit filed Wednesday in state court.
The Rev. Craig X Rubin, 41, of Panorama City, his son and another man were charged last fall with two felony counts each of selling or transporting marijuana and possessing marijuana for sale.
Calls to Rubin, who was ordained in 1990 by the Universal Life Church, and his attorney were not immediately returned today. A police department spokeswoman declined comment.
Rubin, who made several appearances on the Showtime series ''Weeds'' as the owner of a medical marijuana club, is head of Temple 420, a state-registered religious organization founded last summer in Hollywood.
An estimated 400 members pay a $100 initiation fee and $100 annual dues, which enables them to purchase marijuana for requested donations. Marijuana also is burned during some services.
Rubin's suit contends that last November, an undercover officer joined Temple 420 and bought 3½ grams of marijuana ''to be used for religious purposes.''
Five days later, the strip-mall sanctuary was raided by police, which seized money and marijuana.