A Minnesota woman has filed a motion asking the courts to allow her to smoke marijuana because she belongs to the First Church of Cannabis in Indianapolis.
According to the Minnesota Star-Tribune, Ashley Firnschild, 31, of Golden Valley, Minn., is arguing that the illegality of marijuana places an "undue burden" on her "sincerely held" religious beliefs as a member of the newly-created church where the sacrament is marijuana.
Firnschild pleaded guilty in 2014 to fifth-degree drug possession and was sentenced to community service and probation, the Star-Tribune reports.
She says her use of marijuana is based on "guidance in the philosophies of her church" and her embrace of the church's mission, according to the motion.
Oral arguments on Firnschild's motion are scheduled for Oct. 1. The case is being argued under the Minnesota Constitution, which provides greater religious freedom protections than the federal Constitution, similar to Indiana's recently passed Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
Read the full story from the Star-Tribune here.
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