Alabama church legally allowed to smoke pot as part of sacrament
Members of a church in Alabama are legally allowed to smoke pot and eat mushrooms and peyote cactus, which are apparently a part of their sacraments.
The Oklevueha Native American Church of Inner Light in Warrior has been given a legal exemption to perform these sacraments, which are otherwise prohibited by law. It is "the only federally registered people allowed" to smoke marijuana and eat hallucinogenic substances, according to its chief executive officer, Christopher Rushing.
Members of the church can use psilocybin mushrooms and peyote cactus because these are part of the Native American spiritual tradition, Rushing said in an interview.
However, a person pretending to be a church member in order to smoke pot will not be able to do so easily, as the church requires its congregation to carry photo IDs to verify that they are indeed part of the church.
The church presents an interesting mix of teachings. Although the church holds on to its Native American beliefs, it has also adopted Christian beliefs.
"We believe what Christ spoke and taught," Rushing said. The church is also not exclusive to those with Native American backgrounds. Rushing himself is not Native American.
Church members believe that peyote cactus, marijuana and psilocybin mushrooms have no toxic effects on the body.
"They have been used for thousands of years for medicinal purposes, long before pharmaceutical companies began making synthetic versions of them," Rushing said.
However, researchers disagree. Clinical psychologist Peter Hendricks advises against unsupervised use of such substances. Hendricks said that even though these are generally safe, "things can go wrong."
"There's a long history of use by humans; these substances are for the most part safe. I wouldn't want anyone to be hurt. Some people have acute reactions of fear, of terror, paranoia," Hendricks said.
The psychologist is scheduled to speak before the church upon the invitation of Rushing. He will help the members of the church understand more about plants with hallucinogenic properties.
