DOJ Dismisses Ayahuasca Church Settlement as Unrelated to Psychedelic Church Case

In an ongoing legal battle over the legal status of an Iowa-based church’s use of ayahuasca, the Department of Justice (DOJ) is underlining the differences between the case at hand and a recent settlement involving a separate Arizona-based church.

Iowaska Church’s Assertion of Parallels

The Iowaska Church of Healing, which seeks tax-exempt status and permission to incorporate ayahuasca into its ceremonies, highlighted similarities between its case and the recent settlement with the Church of the Eagle and the Condor (CEC) in Arizona.

Government’s Settlement with CEC Deemed “Irrelevant”

Responding to Iowaska’s assertions, the DOJ dismissed the relevance of the settlement with CEC, arguing that the lawsuit involving the Arizona church does not pertain to tax-exempt status, unlike the Iowaska case.

Legal Exchange

The exchange between the Iowaska Church and the DOJ sheds light on the complexities of the legal landscape surrounding the religious use of psychedelics and the federal government’s responses.

Grassley’s Role and Church’s Position

Senator Chuck Grassley’s involvement in expediting the regulatory appeals process for the Iowaska Church adds another layer of complexity. The church maintains it hasn’t incorporated ayahuasca into its services since 2019.

Settlement Impact on Psychedelic Advocacy

CEC’s settlement represents a significant milestone for psychedelic advocacy, signaling federal recognition of religious rights concerning psychedelics. However, disparities in legal treatment persist across jurisdictions.

DEA’s Position and Regulatory Developments

The DEA’s stance on the Right to Try Act and recent quota adjustments for DMT, psilocybin, and THC underscore ongoing tensions between federal agencies and advocates regarding psychedelic research and regulation.

As legal battles continue and regulatory frameworks evolve, the intersection of religious freedom, psychedelics, and federal law remains a dynamic and contentious arena, with implications for religious practitioners, researchers, and advocates alike.