Legislation that would define methamphetamine as a drug and clarify who can use peyote has been tabled by a Navajo Nation council committee.

Lawmakers are awaiting input from federal officials about the methamphetamine provision. Tribal law does not currently outlaw the substance, whose use is increasing on the reservation.

Separately, lawmakers decided to remove the peyote provision from the meth bill due to its controversial nature. The proposal would limit use of the hallucinogenic to registered members of the Native American Church on the reservation.

The situation arose when a man claiming Native ancestry in Utah was busted for selling peyote. The Utah Supreme Court said all Native American Church members, regardless of heritage, could use the drug. Federal authorities are considering charges.

Get the Story:
Navajos table drug law expansion (The Gallup Independent 11/10)

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