Some situations seem so outlandish that they must be manufactured as a prank for April 1, but we're (pretty) sure that these out-there stories are real.
(1) "First Church of Cannabis" Founded Thanks to RFRA
When Indiana Gov. Mike Pence signed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, we don't think he anticipated this. An Indiana man, Bill Levin, has used that religious liberty to establish the First Church of Cannabis Inc reports the Washington Post. The church's first guiding principle is "don't be an a**hole" and its doctrine is based on "love and understanding with compassion for all," writes the publication. The church's sacrament is cannabis. [WaPo]
(2) Wall Street Analysts Advise on Investing in Pot
In other cannabis-related news, Wall Street types are turning their talents to pot. Three past Wall Streeters, including former JP Morgan financial analyst and Google salesman Michael Zaytsev, spoke at a meeting of High NY about making a profit from marijuana without running afoul of the law, DNAinfo reports. Some options include manufacturing weed accessories (such as pipes, ventilation systems or even vending machines), writes the publication, or getting involved in ventures like weed tourism in Colorado. [DNAinfo]
(3) Teen's Family Sues Over Volleyball Playing Time
After 16-year-old Audrey Dimitrew made a club volleyball team in Virginia but was then benched by her coach, she and her family proceeded to sue the league. This suit is (unfortunately) not unique, the Washington Post reports: parents have resorted to judges and courtrooms to adjudicate their sport-loving children being "cut, benched, yelled at by coaches or even fouled too hard." Who said America was litigious? [WaPo]
(4) Woman Simultaneously Convicted of Feticide and Child Neglect
An Indiana woman was sentenced to 20 years in prison this week, based on seemingly contradictory charges of feticide—killing a fetus—and child neglect—which requires a living child. Purvi Patel is the first in the US to be sentenced on a feticide charge. She was convicted of using abortion drugs, though none were found in her system or the baby's; Patel says that she had a miscarriage, reports WNCN. The live birth was proven with a method developed in the 17th century called the "lung float test," reports Slate, though experts have criticized the accuracy of the test. [WNCN] [Slate]
(5) Amazon Creates a Physical 'One-Click' Order Button
Amazon, not satisfied with making it too easy to make online impulse buys, is bringing the same convenience into our households in physical form. The new Dash Buttons reorder household items like detergent or paper towels. Clicking on the button, each of which is linked to a specific brand, will automatically place one order of the item, TechHive reports. Buttons are available for brands like Gatorade, Clorox, Bounty and Huggies, and are now for Prime members by invite only. [TechHive]
