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Wednesday, November 5, 2003

The Utah Supreme Court on Tuesday heard oral arguments in a case involving the use of peyote by non-Indians.

Peyote is a central part of the Native American Church. But only members of federally recognized tribes can collect, possess and use the hallucinogen.

A group called Oklevueha Earth Walks Native American Church says the prohibitionis discriminatory. They say non-Indians who belong to the Native American Church should be able to use the drug.

The group's founder, who claims he is a medicine man, has been prosecuted under state law after police seized 12,000 peyote buttons at a ceremony he was holding.

Get the Story:
Justices hear peyote arguments (The Salt Lake Tribune 11/5)
High court hears arguments over peyote use by non-Indians (AP 11/5)

Relevant Links:
Oklevueha EarthWalks Native American Church - http://www.earthwalks.com

Related Stories:
Utah 'medicine' man at center of court battles (08/26)
Peyote limited to recognized U.S. Natives (5/7)
Peyote against tea dispute heats up (1/24)
Case compared to Native American Church (10/30)
Texas changes peyote rules (7/27)
Peyote use disputed in Utah (5/18)
Man prevented from using peyote (5/10)
'Medicine man' settles lawsuit (3/30)
Peyote: For Indians Only? (1/8)
Peyote raid raises questions (7/17)
The Peyote Exemption (7/17)
Police seize peyote (7/12)

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