The possibility that states might decriminalize the general use of peyote is raising concerns among Indigenous practitioners, who employ the cactus in traditional settings like the Native American Church.
The possibility that states might decriminalize the general use of peyote is raising concerns among Indigenous practitioners, who employ the cactus in traditional settings like the Native American Church. Already, the Navajo Nation is moving to oppose any changes in the law.
“We want to preserve and protect this way of life, of worship, of belief not only for us, but for children, our grandchildren. We are looking 50 years down the road, 100 years down the road,” said Willie. “The peyote, where it grows, is very limited in the state of Texas and the vegetation and availability is limited.”
Azeé Bee Nahaghá of Diné Nation recognizes peyote as sacred among the Navajo people, affirming that peyote has been consumed by Navajo people for religious, cultural and ceremonial purposes since time immemorial, according to the group. Congress enacted the American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978 to protect the rights of Native Americans to exercise their traditional religions by ensuring access to sacred sites, use and possession of sacred objects, and the freedom to worship through ceremonial and traditional rites without repercussions from the federal government.
Tolth rarely uses peyote now, but it's not because he doesn’t believe in it. His belief in this traditional medicine thrives because it helped him get through tough times. What he worries about when it comes to peyote is people’s misuse and abuse of it, which he has seen on different occasions. In a 2021 study, the institute concluded up to 261 greenhouses would be needed to meet the demand for peyote for use by the more than 500,000 members of the Native American Churches in the United States.
Because of the possibility that peyote could go extinct in less than 50 years, the group Decriminalize Nature believes decriminalizing peyote will be the plant's saving grace. The group recommends several policies that should change:
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