High court agrees to review hallucinogenic tea case
SUPREME COURT The Supreme Court will take up the issue of whether a New Mexico church can continue using hallucinogenic tea in its religious services. The tea contains a drug banned under the federal Controlled Substances Act. At issue is whether the tea is protected as a free practice of religion.
The Bush administration contends the tea is illegal and potentially dangerous for church members. Lawyers for the church counter that use of the tea by law-abiding citizens practicing their religious beliefs does not constitute drug abuse.
The church has about 140 members in the U-S. It says the herbal brew is a central sacrament in its religious practice.
A lower court ruling allowed the Brazil-based church to import and use the tea while the case was appealed.
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