- A Georgia pastor says that he wants to adopt growing cannabis to attract members, particularly young men.
- Pastor Jamal Bryant said he wants to teach young Black men "farming."
A Georgia megachurch pastor is facing criticism after proposing a farm on church grounds that grows cannabis to boost membership and promote entrepreneurship for young Black men, according to KATU, an ABC News affiliate in Georgia.
"I'm mindful that I'm not after Christians. I'm after people who don't go to church," said Pastor Jamal Bryant of Georgia-based New Birth Missionary Baptist Church during a December 7 appearance on the "Cool Soror" podcast with Rashan Ali. "A lot of churches are just recycling people from other churches. That's not who I'm after, I'm looking for people who smell like weed."
"New Birth is the largest land-owning Black church in America. My position to my deacons is 'why aren't we not raising cannabis?" Bryant continued. "I'll be able to bring in Black males. They'll be able to do it legally. I'm teaching them farming. I'm helping them to enhance the ecosystem."
Georgia maintains its position as one of the states with strict cannabis laws, according to WALB, and people could face jail time for having it in their possession.
Bryant's comments were met with swift criticism on social media. Bryant, also known as the ex-husband of "Real Housewives of Potomac" star Gizelle Bryant, took to Instagram Live to further explain his concept, local news reported, and stated that "the call is not to bring people to smoke at church."
"It is my intention that if we can show young people the advantages and impact of urban farming, it will make a distinct difference," Bryant said.