The nuns growing and selling MARIJUANA

Sister Kate and Sister Darcy, who live in a three-bed 'abbey' in Merced produce cannabis from the adjoining garage.

They use the cannabinoids found in the plant to create a variety of products used to treat pain which are now selling out online.

Their homemade items will not get their customers high, but they are still facing closure because of new laws preventing residents from growing the drug on their properties.

Since they launched the business six months ago, the nuns' treatments have proved popular with sell-out products on their Etsy page.

The pair produces salves, tonics and tinctures from the plants for pain management. 

They have low levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component that causes the high. 

However, the abbey is being threatened with closure following new Californian marijuana legislation - which come into force in March.

The nuns are currently fighting the council's plans to ban the growth of medicinal marijuana.

Sister Kate, 56, said: 'The ban is clearly against the wishes of the citizenry. So that makes it immoral and unjust.

'Two hundred people or more turned out or more to make sure the city council didn't enact a ban, but they did anyway, under the guise of 'not understanding how to regulate.'

'The mayor indicated they have a 'yearning for learning', but it is a new yearning, because the medical marijuana legalisation has been in place for nineteen years, and just now, they decided to study the issue.'

With the popularity of her products, Sister Kate is hoping to expand her order.

Sister Kate, a mother-of-three, added that although they dress like catholic nuns their religion is New Age. 

A description on their website reads: 'Based in California’s Central Valley, The Sisters of the Valley are not affiliated with any traditional earthly religion. The Sisters’ spiritual practices support the process of making medicine. 

'We respect the breadth and depth of the gifts of Mother Earth, working to bridge the gap between Her and her suffering people.

'The Sisters prepare all medicines during moon cycles, according to ancient wisdom. We are activists who are on a mission to heal the world.'

Merced is one of several cities and counties in California that are attempting to place bans on dispensaries and other commercial cannabis enterprises.

The bill was signed into law in October by California Governor Jerry Brown 

(www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3439181/Meet-nuns-growing-selling-marijuana-garage-abbey-mission-heal-world.html?ito=social-facebook)