NEWS: Cult Fights Hallucinogenic Tea Ban

A battle is raging in the US supreme court over the importation of Hoasca, a hallucinogenic tea from Brazil by a little known religious group who use the tea. The O Centro Espirita Beneficiente Uniao do Vegetal, (UDV) have a mix of christian and South American spiritual beliefs and they use the tea to bring them closer to God. The Supreme Court must decide whether to side with the American Government and uphold a banning of the product stemming from a 1971 convention on Psychotrophic substances or to side with a 1993 law on religious freedom which means the UDV would deserve an exemption for the tea because it makes them feel closer to God.



Well I think I know the outcome on this one, after all the government appoints the supreme court and this issue is too important for the government to lose on.

This loophole means basically anyone can register themselves as a religion and sip away at any substance they deem to bring them closer to their creator.

The government argues, once again I see, that a natural product has health risks. Well i grow foxglove in my garden, why can I grow that deadly but beautiful plant that produces a drug called digitalis, a heart drug that can kill and does often but these people can't use a tea that they have been using for years.

There seems a distinct double standard here of what we are allowed to have and not allowed to have, ah theres that word allowed again, Controlled once again.

[edit on 2-11-2005 by Mayet]

Why don't people do it for marijuanna or coc aine then? That would be weird to see. People could have any drugs they want.

Originally posted by Conspiracy Theorist06
Why don't people do it for marijuanna or coc aine then? That would be weird to see. People could have any drugs they want.

Thay do it's called the Rastafari.
Hemp is the Key to YAHWEH

And I also grow a Plant in my back yard that can kill and it's legal
it is the Ricinus communis
waynesword.palomar.edu...
This is one of the deadlest plants known to man.
"When a gram of ricin is compared with equivalent weights of other toxic substances, it turns out to be one of our deadliest natural poisons. It has been estimated that, gram for gram, ricin is 6,000 times more poisonous than cyanide and 12,000 times more poisonous than rattlesnake venom."

[edit on 2-11-2005 by MicroMatrix]

Hasn't Ricin been used in biowarfare? Similiar to Sarin?

The government does not fear your death. They fear you opening
your mind.

Stupid Idiots!! Whoever it was that called it Hoasca. (Was it the news source?) It's AYAHUASCA, and it's a sacred brew used by the Shamans and Tribes of the Amazon, not friggin cults!! I've tried an analogue mixture of an extract of the main part of the tea and I can tell you in terms of teaching you about realities, this is the key. My friend was definitely right when he said it shows you that this reality is a matrix and artificial. LoL. The government would rather legalise every drug in the world but this one, as this is the biggest informer (after mushrooms) about interacting with beings and dimensions.

Originally posted by sugeshotcha
Stupid Idiots!! Whoever it was that called it Hoasca. (Was it the news source?) It's AYAHUASCA.

It stands for the same thing, you know how like booze and beer are usually used interchangeably.

The thing that puzzles me is that I thought we had a Bible thumping supreme court now.

Hmm. wonder if they missed this one in Sunday School.

Genesis 1:29-30; 9:1-4
1:29 Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you; and to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the sky and to every thing that moves on the earth which has life, I have given every green plant for food.

Originally posted by astrocreep

Genesis 1:29-30; 9:1-4
1:29 Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you; and to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the sky and to every thing that moves on the earth which has life, I have given every green plant for food.

Thank you, I'd been meaning to look that quote for a while.
Indeed, making any substance that occurs naturally upon this planet illegal is, in my oppinion, an insult to nature and the intelligent people on this planet. Drugs have been used by all cultures, through all of time, whether they were aware of it or not. It really is a sign of the times when we are outlawing some of the greatest things that God has given us.

To quote Bill Hicks...

"Dont you think the idea of making nature illegal is a bit... paranoid?"
"Its like God looked down on the 7th day at his y and said 'There it is, my creation, perfect and holy in every way. Now i can rest.
... Oh my me, I left #ing pot everywhere... If i leave pot everywhere that would give people the impression that have to USE IT. Then god created Republicans".

You'd have to be an actual recognized religion in order to get religious protections, and I doubt that this group is duly recognized as a religion. Wicca is recognized, native american religions are recognized, for example.

Originally posted by sugeshotcha
Stupid Idiots!! Whoever it was that called it Hoasca.

very nice.

it's a sacred brew used by the Shamans and Tribes of the Amazon, not friggin cults!!

Er, no, you're wrong. Its being used, as the article states, by a new cult that is a mix of christian and native beleifs. Sure, its also used by medecine men south america, but here its being used by members of whats apparently a mumbo-jumbo psychedelic cult.

I've tried an analogue mixture of an extract of the main part of the tea and I can tell you in terms of teaching you about realities,

Per the agrement you've made with this site, you will not discuss illegal drug use.

It IS the shamans drink and it comes from the amazon, its made by mixing roots of one herb with leafs of another and cooking it. The documentary "shamans of the amazon" goes into details about the "dreaded" tea and its practical use. Many tribes over there use it and they are also sharing it with tourists if they wish to try it. It is not a party drug, but it is psychoactive.
I think some tribes of native indians in the USA already use "magic mushrooms" in their rituals as they are embedded in their beleifs for much longer than USA exists....understandably (for me at least)

Now where can i get a cup of tea over here

ps: its called Ayuasca

Hi All,

I am familiar with both this plant (Banisteriopsis caapi, also known as Ayahuasca, Caapi or Yage), and some of the Peruvian peoples who use it for spiritual practices. Here is a quote from the usage section of Wikipedia:

Usage

Ayahuasca is used in large part as a religious sacrament, no matter the culture it is tied with. This means that those who use ayahuasca in non-traditional areas often align themselves with the traditions of the visionary shamans. This includes citizens of modern Western countries, who put their faith above the restricting laws of their governments.

However, while this is the main use of ayawaska known by non-native users, it is far from the only use of these brews. Traditional usage revolves around the medicinal properties of ayahuasca, and its purgative properties are highly important (many people refer to it as la Purga, "the purge") as the intense vomiting it produces can clear the body of dangerous worms and other parasites common in the rainforest.

If you read the wikipedia section on ayahuasca, you will find some excellent information. The brew itself is made different ways by different cultures. I read about this brew and its uses when researching shamanism in Peru. Like most indigenous cultures, they use it for contact with the spirit world, but they use it with the highest respect. It evokes strong visions, which can sometimes be frightening. It also causes violent vomiting, which is actually part of the spiritual process because it helps to cleanse. It is not something which the native peoples who use it take lightly.

There are people who are dedicated watchers who make sure that a person does not choke from vomiting or wander off or hurt themselves as a result of the visions. How the plant is prepared varies, but sometimes the mixtures contain other ingredients that have been deemed illegal. The mixtures that are made here in the US are not necessarily traditional mixtures. Wikipedia has some information about that also. The legal question comes into play because sometimes the mixture contains '___' (dimethyltryptamine) which is considered a Schedule I drug under Psychotropic Substances. Here is a link to what '___' is. (Wikipedia Info On '___'))

I think that our government have fears about people abusing the use of the brew, that and its chemical properties. However, here is an interesting quote from wikipedia:

It seems unlikely that Ayahuasca could ever emerge as a "street-drug", given the difficulty of making the tea and the intense experience it provides. Most Western users employ it almost exclusively for spiritual purposes, in line with both traditional, animist usage and organized churches such as the UDV. A diet is almost always followed before use, including a day of fasting, to rid the body of tyramines and other contraindicated chemicals; a "dieta" is often followed as well, to spiritually cleanse the body before and after the experience. Most recreational drug users have never even heard of Ayahuasca, '___' or MAOIs, or the possibility of alterations to the shamanic brew

I dont believe that they should band if it is used for spiritual purposes. Then again, anyone can say that is what they use it for. From what I have read from people who have tried it, this is not something that you would want to take as a way to "get high". The visions are intense and very real. You would need someone experienced to help you deal with yout experience. I have found some other sites that give some information on ayahuasca.

1. Ayahuasca.com
   
2. The Vaukts of Erowid
   
3. deoxy.org
   

Here also is an example of a US based group which offers a way to experience Amazonian Shamanism in which they use ayahuasca to help people go on a spirit quest. Ayahuasca Spirit Quest

Of course any place that practices spiritual healing and and offers spiritual quests should be researched to the fullest. This should be done to ensure that you will have an experience that you were seeking, and to ensure that you are not harmed and/or take advantage of. Actually there has been rampant "borrowing" and subsequent bastardization of various Native spiritual practices by people proclaiming to offer spiritual guidance. Usually this is done, not to spread knowledge or enlightenment, but to make money. This is upsetting to me for a whole host of reasons.



[EDIT: a quick added note from wikipedia:

It should be noted that the spelling ayahuasca is the hispanicized version of the name; many Quechua or Aymara speakers would prefer the spelling ayawaska.

]

[edit on 11/2/2005 by sylvrshadow]

I've always had issues with the contolling of naturally occuring plants. If one day someone discovers they can get 'high' from some other naturally occuring plant that is very widespread, like pine needles, or dandelions or something like that, will those plants become illlegal?

All Ayahuasca preparations contain '___', along with an MAOI, which allows the '___' to become orally active. Therefore it is illegal in any form...not that I think that is right.

To think that the control of these substances is about keeping people safe...is a bit naive. All of the psychedelic plants or entheogens have been used by many tribes (and most if not all religions at some point) across the globe for thousands of years. It is ridiculous that a natural plant could be made illegal in a free society. It is even more ridiculous that more dangerous substances such as alcohol, tobacco, and many OTC and prescription drugs are far more dangerous than any psychedelic substances, yet they are legal and bring the government lots of money. Ayahuasca does pose a risk to those who do not know what they are doing, as it contains the MAOI....but the actual "hallucinogenic" plants/drugs are all very safe on their own when used responsibly...and they can also help certain medical problems which have yet to be treated any other way with success. (I have read reports of people suffering from serious cluster/migraine headaches using '___' or psilocybin containing mushrooms just a couple times a year to completely stop the headache attack cycle...there are so many people out there in much pain from this, yet do not have access to this simple, natural, harmless cure...no, lets pump them full of prescription drugs which will help them temporarily, while giving them a whole slew of side effects that need treatment with more drugs )

It is simply about controlling thoughts, and keeping everyone working hard in society, not questioning that which has been taught to them for so many years. The experience associated with these substances should be studied, and realized for its incredible power. Even if the importation of this specific "blend" is made illegal, it really won't matter, as you can easily order the necessary ingredients online, or even find them outside if you know enough about it.

Who is the real "fool on the hill"?

[edit on 2-11-2005 by Shoktek]

Originally posted by DCFusion
I've always had issues with the contolling of naturally occuring plants. If one day someone discovers they can get 'high' from some other naturally occuring plant that is very widespread, like pine needles, or dandelions or something like that, will those plants become illlegal?

Funny that you should mention dandelions, ever seen or heard of Opium Lettuce? It's widespread here in Canada and an extract from the herb makes for a great sedative. It's 100% legal and is treated like a weed.. similar in appearance to dandelions.

I suppose I should add that I agree with your logics, control is not a valid option for natural substances. The Drug policies are lacking and are making criminals into many innocent people.

[edit on 2-11-2005 by Linux]

Back in the 1980's I was a Chaplain Assistant in the US Army.
We went to AIT before being assigned to a Chaplain or chapel.
Part of AIT training was a big fat book we were assigned.
In it was a listing, along with a description, of different
'officially recognized religions' that the US government said
that we had to accomodate. Each of those religions had
to meet certain criteria before being officially recognized.
No, I don't remember what that criteria was. However,
there weren't any fly-by-nighters like 'The Church of Al
Gore's Beard' or anything like that.

Perhaps if someone here has the time and desire, they can
get ahold of the powers that be at Fort Monmouth New Jersey
(US Army Chaplains School) and ask for a list of officially
recognized religions in the US Military and ask what the
criteria is etc etc etc.

It would be a good project for someone who is interested
and who has more time than I have right now.

I would think that the government would use the same criteria
determining drug use in 'churches' as they would for 'officially
recognized religions' in the US military.

Just a thought.

[edit on 11/2/2005 by FlyersFan]

See, why do they always want to take ALL the fun things away? There is a tea called Kombucha Tea made by a mushroom(actually a colony of yeast, bacteria and fungus), that also has this property, if you drink too much. And they also make dandelion wine, that tastes just like lemonade, but it has a very serious kick.

Originally posted by MicroMatrix
And I also grow a Plant in my back yard that can kill and it's legal
it is the Ricinus communis

And it's a beautiful plant. One of my favorites. I love the shape of the leaves.

Linux,

I see people picking the lettuce in huge amounts in a park down the road from where I live in the summertime, there's massive amounts there. The effects of the plant vary from person to person but it's generally pretty useful as a sleep aid. Or of course you can just eat it as a lettuce.