Pope Condemns Marijuana & a Rabbi Wants to Sell it

Last Friday Pope Francis denounced the growing movement to legalize drugs like marijuana, saying "to think that harm can be reduced by permitting drug addicts to use narcotics in no way resolves the problem." But not all religious leaders see marijuana as dangerous, some are actively trying to sell it.

Reason TV interviewed Rabbi Jeffrey Kahn last year about his mission to open a medical marijuana dispensary in Washington D.C.

"Rabbi Fights Feds to Open Pot Shop" originally aired on May 7, 2013.  The original text is below:

"[The federal government] should know who is a pot dealer and who is not. For them to pretend otherwise is ridiculous," says Rabbi Jeffrey Kahn. Kahn, an ordained rabbi who has served congregations for over 30 years, is opening a medical marijuana dispensary in Washington, D.C. this summer alongside his wife. Kahn says the federal government has made it impossible for him to get a bank account for his small business. 

Medical marijuana is legal in D.C. and 18 states, but it's still illegal under federal law. This means that even though Kahn is abiding by D.C. law, banks won't work with his business for fear of losing FDIC protection–or worse. Kahn says he has not been able to open a bank account with any financial institution. If he is forced to be a cash-only business, he will be more vulnerable to crime and IRS auditing.  

About 4 minutes.

Produced by Amanda Winkler. Shot by Todd Krainin and Winkler. Narrated by Krainin. Additional help by Joshua Swain. 

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