Washington, D.C.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously this week that a New Mexico church with roots in South America may use hallucinogenic tea as part of its four-hour shamanistic rituals. The tea, ayahuasca, contains an illegal drug known as DMT. Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the court, said the substance’s use by the 140 members of O Centro Espirita Beneficiente Uniao do Vegetal is protected under the Constitution as a “sincere religious practice.” The church contends that the ritualistic use of the tea brings its members closer to God. The newest justice, Samuel Alito, did not take part in the case, which was argued before he joined the Court.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
'Make legal immigration a more plausible option'Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
LA-to-Las Vegas high-speed rail line breaks groundSpeed Read The railway will be ready as soon as 2028
-
Israel's military intelligence chief resignsSpeed Read Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva is the first leader to quit for failing to prevent the Hamas attack in October
