May 28, 2025
Ayahuasca churches gain ground in religious freedom fight
As two West Coast churches win the right to use ayahuasca under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, attorneys say the federal government's posture on psychoactive religious rituals is softening. Settlements in California and Washington suggest an evolving legal climate under the Trump administration, though concerns over selective enforcement remain.
When President Donald Trump spoke about religious liberty on the campaign trail, most people probably did not picture the use of the psychedelic drug ayahuasca. But two west coast churches have been granted the right to use ayahuasca in recent days.
On May 19, the parties in a two-year-old case over ayahuasca informed the court they had reached a settlement earlier that month. The Tulare-based Church of the Celestial Heart sued the federal government under the Religious Freedom Re...
For only $95 a month (the price of 2 article purchases)
Receive unlimited article access and full access to our archives,
Daily Appellate Report, award winning columns, and our
Verdicts and Settlements.
Or
$795 for an entire year!
Or access this article for $45
(Purchase provides 7-day access to this article. Printing, posting or downloading is not allowed.)
Already a subscriber?
Sign In