Spiritual Gatekeeping: The Precarious Position of Religious Practice with Psychedelics

In recent years, the intersection of entheogenic substances and religious freedom has gained prominence in both legal and public discourse. The Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) has played a crucial role in protecting the sacramental use of entheogens within religious communities, and petitions for religious exemptions from the DEA are becoming an increasingly relevant avenue for these communities to assert their rights. This discussion will explore the current legal status of entheogenic practices under RFRA, provide a comprehensive overview of the legal framework, and share first-hand experiences working on DEA religious exemption petitions.