Peyote raid raises questions
JULY 17, 2000 Police in Weber County recently raided a Native American Church ceremony, seizing 10 pounds of the substance, $11,000 in cash, eagle feathers, condor feathers, and a bear skull. Nick Stark will be charged with distributing peyote, a second-degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. An exemption in federal law allows Native Americans to ingest peyote without prosecution but persons who manufacture or distribute peyote must register with the Drug Enforcement Administration. Native American Church officials say Stark has the proper documentation to dispense peyote. A woman apparently tipped police off to the ceremony last week, after saying she was held against her will and was disturbed by the event. Get the Story:
Drug Arrest Raises Legal Questions About Who Can Practice Peyote Religion (The Salt Lake City Tribune 7/17)
The Peyote Exemption (Tribal Law 7/17)
Police seize peyote (Tribal Law 7/12) Relevant Links:
Tribe of Christ, A Native American Church - www.tribeofchrist.com
|
Printer friendly version