The Utah Senate Judiciary Committee approved HB60, a bill that will limit use of peyote to members of federally recognized tribes.

The bill was drafted in response to the case of James "Flaming Eagle" Mooney, a self-proclaimed medicine man and leader of his own Native American Church. Mooney is not enrolled in any tribe but he was able to avoid state prosecution for possession of peyote because the state law currently doesn't require tribal affiliation.

Mooney is facing federal charges but state lawmakers and state officials say the bill is needed to prevent "wanna-be" Indians from exploiting peyote, a sacrament of the Native American Church.

Get the Story:
Peyote limit advances in Senate (The Salt Lake Tribune 2/7)

Get the Bill:
Controlled Substance Amendments (HB 60)

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