Utah Fights Psychedelic Church in Court

Utah County is engaged in a legal dispute with the Singularism Spiritual Center, a faith group that utilizes psychedelic mushrooms in its spiritual practices. This conflict escalated after a federal judge initially ruled in favor of the group last December. The county is now seeking to overturn this decision, asserting that state drug laws, including the Utah Controlled Substances Act, should apply universally, even to religious organizations.

Attorneys for Utah County argue that the unregulated use of psilocybin by religious groups is not comparable to controlled research settings. They emphasize the importance of government oversight and risk assessment, particularly concerning potential drug diversion and abuse. This stance was articulated during oral arguments before a 10th Circuit Court of Appeals judicial panel, where the county's legal team contested the spiritual center's comparison to healthcare organizations.

The case tests Utah's 2024 religious freedom law, which allows citizens to challenge regulations that may impede their sincerely held religious beliefs. The Singularism Spiritual Center advertises guided 'psychedelic therapy journeys' using psilocybin, claiming federal legal exemptions for religious use. However, judges questioned the limits of such exemptions, pondering where to draw the line on substances used in spiritual practices.

The appeals court judges are considering questions about whether Utah County acted in bad faith by declining to observe the center's practices firsthand before sending an undercover officer. They are also examining the potential for irreparable injury to the spiritual center. The founder, Bridger Jensen, had previously sued the county, citing religious freedom. A lower court ruling suggested that psilocybin use at Singularism lacked the safety assurances of major healthcare systems, citing unlicensed facilitators and inconsistent dosing criteria.