LA MINISTER SUES OVER MARIJUANA BUST

LOS ANGELES --A minister who was arrested on charges of marijuana
possession has sued police for $30 million, contending his civil and
religious rights were violated because he heads a church that uses
pot during worship.

The Rev. Craig X Rubin, 41, is the founder of Temple 420, which holds
that pot is a religious herb.

"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," says the lawsuit filed Wednesday in state court.

Rubin, his son and another man were charged last fall with two felony
counts each of selling or transporting marijuana and possessing
marijuana for sale.

Rubin's lawsuit contends that last November, an undercover officer
joined the Hollywood temple and bought 3 1/2 grams of marijuana "to
be used for religious purposes." Five days later, the strip-mall
sanctuary was raided by officers, who seized money and marijuana.

Rubin has made several appearances on the Showtime series "Weeds" as
the owner of a medical marijuana club. He was ordained in 1990 by the
Universal Life Church, which ordains everyone who asks.

The temple has an estimated 400 members who pay a $100 initiation fee
and $100 annual dues, enabling them to purchase marijuana for
requested donations. Marijuana also is burned during some services.
In drug culture, "420" is slang for marijuana.

Calls to Rubin and his attorney were not immediately returned
Thursday. A police department spokeswoman declined comment.