Church elders’ prayers not answered

A Toronto judge has rejected a religious group’s bid to be exempted from Canada’s marijuana laws, but a spokesman for the group says it’s considering an appeal.

The Church of the Universe says it uses the drug as a sacrament and tried to persuade Justice Thea Herman the laws infringe on freedom of religion rights. The constitutional challenge is part of the case of two church members – Michael Baldasaro and Walter Tucker – who are due back in court later this month on charges of trafficking marijuana.