April 19, 2005
Supreme Court to hear UDV case
The Supreme Court has granted certiorari and will review a decision by the U.S. District Court for New Mexico and upheld by the 10th Circuit giving the American branch of a Brazilian church that makes sacramental use of ayahuasca (a traditional Amazonian potion made from plants one of which contains the controlled substance DMT) a preliminary injunction allowing it to import and use its sacred mixture. Earlier this year, the Court refused to say the lower-court order, which remains in effect until the case is heard, probably next fall.
Previous posts on the case:
Religious Liberty Meets the Controlled Substances Act
Ritual Use of Controlled Substances
10th Circuit Affirms UDV Ruling
UDV Case Headed to the Supreme Court
As previously mentioned, I was an expert witness in the case, on the church's side, so I'm biting my tongue and avoiding any public comment. Howard Friedman's new Religion Clause blog looks as if it will be a good place to follow the case as it unfolds.
