In the early 1970s, a fundamentalist Christian sect known as the Ethiopian Zion Coptic Church formed in Jamaica. The Coptics’ beliefs were typical of any fundamentalist Christian organization…with the exception of one. The Church believed that marijuana (or “ganja,” as they called it) was their sacrament…and all members, including children, smoked it around the clock. The Church started a massive marijuana export operation and expanded throughout the 70’s, eventually becoming the largest employers and landowners in the struggling Caribbean nation.

In 1975, needing an “embassy” in the United States, the Church bought a mansion on Miami’s exclusive Star Island. Initially, the Church received recognition as a legitimate religious organization by the government. But as the media caught wind of the group and their rather unorthodox religious ceremonies, things started to change. Ultimately, a 1979 60 Minutes piece featuring footage of young children puffing large “spliffs” of marijuana caused public outrage and compelled the government to finally put an end to the Coptics . Soon after, many Church members were indicted and eventually convicted of smuggling large quantities of marijuana.