05/14/2026
Long before Indiana lawmakers seriously began discussing medical ma*****na legalization, Indianapolis already had one of the most famous cannabis churches in America.
Founded in 2015 by Indianapolis activist Bill Levin, the First Church of Cannabis exploded into national headlines after then-Gov. Mike Pence signed Indiana’s controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act, or RFRA. Levin argued the law opened the door for ma*****na to legally qualify as a religious sacrament.
Levin, who calls himself the church’s “Grand Poobah,” built the church around “Cannaterian” beliefs centered on love, compassion, humor, personal freedom, and cannabis as “the Healing Plant.”
The church even created its own commandments called the “Deity Dozen,” including lines like “Laugh often,” “Help others,” and “Do not be a troll on the internet.”
And despite many assuming it was just a viral stunt, the church began holding real weekly services in Indianapolis featuring live music, comedy, sermons, dancing, community gatherings, and planned ma*****na sacrament ceremonies.
Early services drew huge crowds, protesters, national media attention, and heavy police presence as officials closely watched whether members would openly smoke during worship.
“We spark up and we light up and we all pray to happiness, compassion and love,” Levin once told RTV6.
The church eventually sued Indiana, arguing RFRA should protect ma*****na use as a religious sacrament. Courts rejected the argument, ruling Indiana’s ma*****na laws still applied even inside religious ceremonies.
Today, the First Church of Cannabis still operates in Indianapolis and remains one of America’s most recognizable cannabis-based religious organizations.
Indiana Republicans are reportedly preparing a medical ma*****na bill for the next legislative session, creating one of the strongest legalization pushes the state has seen in years.
That has many Hoosiers wondering whether Bill Levin’s once-mocked ma*****na church may have actually been years ahead of its time.
