A self-described "medicine man" from Utah wants the federal government to return 15,000 peyote buttons.

James "Flaming Eagle" Mooney runs the Oklevueha Native American Church but is not a member of a federally recognized tribe. Federal charges against him and his wife were dropped as long as they agreed not to possess peyote.

Mooney says he is entitled to use the hallucinogenic for ceremonies. But the U.S. Attorney's Office says it is illegal for him to have the drug.

The state brought charges against the Mooneys but they were thrown out by the Utah Supreme Court. The decision said the state's law on peyote use was vague.

Get the Story:
Native American church's items are returned (The Salt Lake City Deseret News 7/29)

Utah Supreme Court Decision:
State of Utah v. Mooney (June 22, 2004)

Related Stories:
Editorial: Supreme Court opens peyote to non-Indians (2/27)
U.S. Attorney drops peyote charges against couple (2/23)
Bill to limit peyote to tribal members advances (2/8)
White 'wanna-be' Indians target of peyote bill (01/19)
Plea deal reached for peyote case in Utah (12/16)
Utah 'medicine man' won't be released from jail (06/29)
Utah 'medicine man' and wife called drug dealers (6/27)
'Medicine man' arrested, charged in peyote flap (6/24)
'Medicine man' claimed Indian heritage in his 40s (05/23)
Peyote seized from 'medicine man' in federal custody (05/06)
Utah man sues county for return of seized peyote (4/28)
Man in peyote case accuses county of wrongdoing (3/8)
State Lawyer: Misinformation in non-Indian peyote case
U.S. may prosecute Native American Church figure (08/31)
Non-Indian peyote case could head to Supreme Court (08/16)
Ruling allows non-Indians to use peyote in Utah (06/23)
Utah Supreme Court hears arguments in peyote case (11/5)
Utah 'medicine' man at center of court battles (08/26)