Federal Judge Orders Utah Police to Return Psychedelic Mushrooms to Religious Group
Note: We asked chatgpt to create an image for this story and thought it was too good to not include.
A federal judge has ordered Utah police to return psychedelic mushrooms they seized from members of a religious group, ruling that the state violated the group’s constitutional rights. The case, which centers on the Divine Assembly—a Salt Lake City-based church that uses psilocybin mushrooms in its spiritual practices—could set a precedent for how courts handle religious freedom claims involving controlled substances.
New: Interested in Being Part of a Psychedelics-Focused Clinical Trial? Sign Up Here
The ruling is one of the most notable legal victories for groups seeking protections under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. It comes amid renewed debate over the role of psychedelics in therapy and faith.
Here’s a Breakdown
| Key Takeaways | Details |
|---|---|
| Court Decision | Judge ordered police to return seized mushrooms to religious group |
| Religious Group Involved | The Divine Assembly, based in Salt Lake City |
| Substance at Issue | Psilocybin mushrooms, federally classified as a Schedule I drug |
| Legal Basis | Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) |
| Police Justification | Belief that the mushrooms were being used outside protected religious practice |
| Impact of Ruling | Could influence future legal protections for entheogenic religious use |
Read more on this story at Marijuana Moment.
Legal Grounds and Police Actions
The court found that police infringed on the group’s rights when they seized the mushrooms without sufficient cause to suspect criminal intent beyond religious use. According to court documents, officers obtained a search warrant based on public content from the church’s website. They later raided the property and confiscated sacramental substances.
Judge Howard Nielson Jr ruled that the state failed to demonstrate a compelling interest in restricting the group’s practices or that it pursued the least restrictive means of enforcing drug laws. The ruling emphasized that the First Amendment protects sincere religious expression, even when it involves illegal substances under federal law.
A Shift in Religious Use Cases
Cases involving religious use of psychedelics are not new, but successful legal challenges remain rare. The Divine Assembly is one of several groups seeking exemptions under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, the same law that has protected certain Native American and Brazilian churches that use peyote and ayahuasca.
The court’s order does not legalize psilocybin in Utah or beyond, but it strengthens arguments for exemptions based on faith. For those advocating for psychedelic therapy or religious liberty, it marks a step forward. Law enforcement in Utah has not yet indicated whether it will appeal the ruling.
RELATED: Microdosing LSD Does Not Appear to Be Effective ADHD Treatment in First Study
What Comes Next
The outcome of this case may prompt further legal claims from similar groups. As interest in psychedelic healing grows, so too will questions about the boundary between spiritual use and drug law enforcement. This ruling may not end the debate, but it brings new clarity to the legal path forward.
RELATED: Study: Psilocybin’s Mental Health Benefits Differ By Race
