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Richard Piatt ReportingToday at Utah's Capitol, a House committee has approved a bill that would clarify who can legally use peyote. Right now, Utah law is out of line with a federal law and that loophole affected a recent criminal case.
Peyote is a stimulant drug that is illegal for general use, but a federal law allows limited use in American Indian religious ceremonies. Right now, there are several tribes who use peyote in ceremonies, but in the past there have been those who have exploited a loophole in the law---using or selling the drug for recreation, not religion.
A House committee today approved a bill that limits peyote use only to American Indian tribes. It would also set criteria for who qualifies as an Indian.
Carma Nez, Native American Church of North America: "We're at a point where we're saying, 'N this is wrong. It does not reflect our way f life, our belief.' It's time to let the public know that."
Kis Leonard, Assistant Utah Attorney General: e just know the state law has been out of sync with those rights, and need to be in conformance with it to protect those rights."
The case was partially spurred on by the case of James "Flaming Eagle" Mooney, who successfully won a legal case against him. Prosecutors charged Mooney with giving peyote to non-Indians. Some say he successfully used the existing loophole in the law. This bill would close it.
