Key Takeaways
- The Church of Gaia in Spokane, Washington, has been granted an exemption to use ayahuasca, a psychedelic substance, as a sacrament in their religious practices.
- This exemption is the first of its kind, obtained through petitioning the DEA instead of litigation, and may pave the way for other psychedelic churches to follow suit.
- The growth of psychedelic churches in the US is surging, with estimates suggesting hundreds of churches operate illegally, and more are emerging from the underground to push boundaries over which substances and beliefs deserve protection.
- The use of psychedelics in religious practices is a complex issue, with risks and challenges for church leaders, including logistical hurdles, fear of law enforcement, and the potential for casualties as more practices seek recognition.
Introduction to Psychedelic Churches
The Church of Gaia in Spokane, Washington, has all the makings of a traditional place of worship, with regular gatherings, communal songs, and member donations. However, they also serve ayahuasca, a psychedelic substance that can induce nausea and, at times, projectile vomiting. The church’s ceremonial leader, Connor Mize, emphasizes that this is a purely spiritual practice, not something done for fun. Psychedelics are classified as schedule 1 substances and banned throughout most of the US, but a small number of churches have won the right to use them as sacraments after protracted battles with the DEA.
Legal Precedents and Protection
The origins of legalized psychedelic churches stretch back to the turn of the century, when a New Mexico-based religious group successfully sued the DEA under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) in 2006. This set into motion a new standard for the use of psychedelics. Similar legal victories have followed in Oregon, Arizona, and California, with churches receiving legal protections for psychedelic use after reaching settlements with the DEA. The Church of Gaia’s win, combined with two recent settlements, makes three new psychedelic practices recognized in the last year, more than half of all the ones ever recognized, according to attorney Sean McAllister.
The Process of Securing Exemptions
The Church of Gaia’s green light came after a nearly three-year process that focused largely on proving that ayahuasca would be used only for religious purposes. The church had to prevent operation during the petition, and its approval is the first of its kind. More are anticipated, with some organizations currently in negotiation processes. With its legal status secured, the church is planning for the future, including securing visas for Peruvian teachers and constructing a building to host ceremonies.
The Growth of Psychedelic Churches
The number of churches is surging, with estimates suggesting hundreds of psychedelic churches operate illegally in the US. There are probably more than 500 operating across the US, according to Jeffrey Breau, who leads a psychedelics and spirituality program at Harvard’s Center for the Study of World Religions. Many of these churches have started within the last five, six, or seven years, as Americans fall out of favor with traditional religion and turn to spirituality. Four in 10 US adults have become more spiritual over the course of their lifetime, according to a 2023 Pew Research Center survey.
Challenges and Risks
Operating at the intersection of psychedelics and religion isn’t without risks. Church leaders must contend with logistical hurdles, fear of law enforcement, and the potential for casualties as more practices seek recognition. Bridger Jensen, founder of the religious group Singularism, was surrounded by a Swat team and had his church’s mushrooms confiscated. Singularism responded by suing, using Utah’s state-level RFRA to halt criminal proceedings and recover its seized psychedelics. If Singularism ultimately prevails, it would become the first mushroom church ever recognized in the US, potentially opening up the playing field for other psychedelic practices.
The Future of Psychedelic Churches
The use of psychedelics in religious practices is a complex issue, with risks and challenges for church leaders. As more churches emerge from the underground, they may find success under the current administration, which has emphasized protecting religious rights. However, this may also lead to casualties as more practices seek recognition without taking proper safeguards. The Church of Gaia’s exemption and Singularism’s legal battle may pave the way for other psychedelic churches to follow suit, but it’s essential to approach this issue with caution and careful consideration of the potential consequences.
