Policy and Legal Standing
Welcome to the Church of the Sacred Plants, a lawfully incorporated 508(c)(1)(a) Faith Based Organization. Operating under the protective umbrella of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993, our church embraces the legal rights afforded to us and our adult members.
Our religious foundation is centered on the sacrament of the sacred mix of natural substances found in certain mushrooms—specifically, psilocybin and psilocin. We affirm our right, protected by the Religious Freedom Restoration Act and various state laws, to responsibly use this sacrament in bona fide religious ceremonies, conducted in accordance with federal and state regulations.
As believers in the transformative power of entheogens, we recognize the historical and time-honored religious traditions surrounding the sacrament. We honor and respect all entheogens, acknowledging the diverse ways in which they contribute to spiritual growth and religious transformation.
The Church of the Sacred Plants follows a non-denominational approach, drawing inspiration from various religious beliefs that value life and promote healing. We believe in the Universal Truth that God, or Universal Consciousness, is Love—the foundation of creation and individual and communal healing.
Our mission is threefold: to facilitate personal growth and religious healing, build a transformative church community, and contribute to community and global healing. We hold strict rules regarding the preparation, handling, and consumption of the sacrament, ensuring it is done with reverence and distributed only by ordained officials during official healing services.
As we navigate a shifting landscape concerning entheogens, we remain committed to our religious practices, seeking to build bridges with our local and global communities. We welcome individuals from all walks of life who respect our sacrament and embrace the tenets of our church.
While we support the broader dialogue on the responsible use of entheogens, our focus remains on ensuring that our members and leaders respect the sacrament in accordance with our doctrines. We encourage members to maintain relationships with medical and mental health providers, recognizing the distinct services they offer.
As the legal and cultural landscape evolves, we remain vigilant in our commitment to religious freedom and the responsible use of entheogens. We support initiatives that align with our beliefs and contribute our voice to the ongoing dialogue surrounding psilocybin-containing mushrooms and other entheogens.
Disclaimer and Legal Information
The Church of the Sacred Plants encourages all members contemplating engagement with the Sacrament to establish relationships with medical and mental health providers. These professionals offer distinct services separate from the religious support provided by the Church and its community. It is important to note that the Church of the Sacred Plants is not a medical provider and does not offer medical or mental health advice. While the Church may reference medical and mental health research, literature, and anecdotal experiences with entheogens, it does not make any representations about the medical or mental health benefits of any entheogen.
Initiatives Impacting Psilocybin-Containing Mushrooms
In light of evolving legal landscapes, the Church of the Sacred Plants is committed to providing relevant information regarding initiatives impacting psilocybin-containing mushrooms in the United States. Recent developments include:
Denver, Colorado (May 2019): Became the first city in the U.S. to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms, prohibiting the city from prosecuting individuals for their use or possession. The law applied to adults over 21 until Proposition 122 passed in November 2022, fully legalizing psilocybin.
Oakland, California (June 2019): City council unanimously voted to decriminalize psilocybin and peyote after thirty individuals testified about their experiences with psilocybin.
Santa Cruz, California (January 2020): Unanimous city council decision to decriminalize adult possession and cultivation of psilocybin. Commercial sale remains illegal.
Ann Arbor, Michigan (September 2020): City Council voted unanimously to declare entheogenic plant-related activities as the lowest law enforcement priority.
Oregon (November 2020): Became the first U.S. state to both decriminalize and legalize psilocybin for supervised non-medical use after Ballot Measure 109 passed.
Washington, D.C. (November 2020): Passed Initiative 81, decriminalizing psilocybin drugs, making arrests for their possession or use the lowest priority for DC police.
Washtenaw County, Michigan (January 2021): Followed suit in decriminalizing entheogenic plants.
Somerville, Massachusetts (January 2021): City Council voted unanimously to decriminalize the possession of entheogenic plants.
Cambridge and Northampton, Massachusetts (February and March 2021): Both cities followed suit after continuous outreach efforts.
Seattle, Washington, and Arcata, California (October 2021): City Councils voted unanimously to deprioritize enforcing entheogen prohibition.
Easthampton, Massachusetts (October 2021): City Council voted to support ending arrests for the growing of entheogenic plants and fungi.
Detroit, Michigan (November 2021): Voters approved Proposal E, making the personal possession and therapeutic use of entheogenic plants the lowest law-enforcement priority.
Port Townsend, Washington (December 2021): City adopted a resolution requesting deprioritization of enforcing laws against psychedelic plants and fungi.
Hazel Park, Michigan (March 2022): Became the third Michigan city to decriminalize natural psychedelics.
San Francisco, California (September 2022): Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the decriminalization of entheogenic plants.
Ferndale, Michigan (February 2023): Became the fourth city in Michigan to decriminalize entheogenic plants and fungi.
Jefferson County, Washington (May 2023): Decriminalized the use of entheogenic plants and fungi.
Berkeley, California (July 2023): Became the fifth city in California to decriminalize entheogenic plants and fungi.
Minneapolis, Minnesota (July 2023): Decriminalized entheogenic plants and fungi via mayoral executive order.
Portland, Maine (October 2023): City Council voted to deprioritize local enforcement of laws against psychedelic plants and fungi.