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The decision represents a historic victory for sacramental ayahuasca use.
The syncretic Church of the Celestial Heart has won legal protection from the United States government to use ayahuasca as a religious sacrament. The historic victory comes after a protracted legal battle, which included the confiscation of ayahuasca and the arrest of church leadership. Church members are protected by U.S. law and can now speak openly about their religious practices without fear of legal consequences.
While the full journey unfolded over almost a decade, the last three years marked a critical period in shaping the outcome of the case. At that time, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) seized an ayahuasca delivery from Brazil, and local law authorities began an investigation of the church, ultimately arresting a founding church member. As a result, the church hired lawyers Jack Silver and Sean McAllister and sued the federal government, specifically the Attorney General of the U.S., the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), and DHS for legal rights to use the sacrament. The defendants sought to dismiss the suit, but a judge denied the motion, finding the plaintiffs “sufficiently alleged the application of the CSA would substantially burden a sincere religious exercise.”
Kai Karrel, the church’s padrinho, or leader, describes a years-long back-and-forth process, during which time the church shared all official correspondence, including emails to members (with names redacted) and batch numbers of ayahuasca, with officials. Officials also conducted interviews with church guardians and reviewed church materials like protocols and prayers. Ultimately, they were tasked with reviewing over 16,000 documents and requested more time to conduct the review.
“This decision marks a historic milestone in the recognition of diverse religious practices in the United States. It reaffirms that sincere, sacramental use of ayahuasca can be protected under the law, opening new pathways for spiritual communities,” says Bia Labate, Ph.D, Chacruna’s Executive Director. “This victory reiterates that the law can uphold the rights of communities who approach ayahuasca with reverence, structure, and sincerity. It is a meaningful step toward broader understanding and protection of psychedelic plant medicine traditions.”
The Church of the Celestial Heart’s two mother churches, Fraternidade do Coração and Arca da Montanha Azul, both helped the church establish lineage, submitting multiple letters of support during the process.
“While not the first church to receive legal protection for ayahuasca use, the recognition of the Church of the Celestial Heart strengthens the cause. It affirms that diverse, syncretic traditions can be taken seriously within the legal system and adds momentum to the growing acknowledgment of psychedelic plant medicine traditions.” – Henrique Antunes
“While not the first church to receive legal protection for ayahuasca use, the recognition of the Church of the Celestial Heart strengthens the cause,” says Chacruna’s Research Director Henrique Antunes, Ph.D. “It affirms that diverse, syncretic traditions can be taken seriously within the legal system and adds momentum to the growing acknowledgment of psychedelic plant medicine traditions.”
Ultimately, Karrel shares, the rigorous process highlighted the church’s ability to rise to the challenges presented by the federal government. The church’s process provides a blueprint for how other churches might proceed (though Karrel notes the specifics will differ), but only for serious organizations prepared for years of litigation. “The syncretic approach of our church demystifies and deconstructs constructs given to us from different institutions, religions, and societies, and includes elements from Santo Daime, Umbanda, Spiritism, Hermeticism, esoteric Catholicism, Buddhism, and other traditions.”
“The Celestial Heart recognition represents a historic expansion of religious ayahuasca use in terms of the legal field, as the first practice recognized by the U.S. government that includes elements of both Santo Daime and Umbanda.” – Sean McAllister
“The Celestial Heart recognition represents a historic expansion of religious ayahuasca use in terms of the legal field, as the first practice recognized by the U.S. government that includes elements of both Santo Daime and Umbanda,” says McAllister. “The case is also another major concession by the government that there is no compelling reason to restrict or criminalize the sincere religious use of ayahuasca.”
For now, the church is not interested in growth or notoriety. Rather, leaders are proud to continue the work they are already doing, for the first time openly. “For us, it is much more than just belief,” says Karrel. “Coming to ayahuasca is a calling, a profound soul-level knowing. Serving the sacrament requires sacrifice, years of study, and endless dedication. We strive to teach by example and are in service to our faith. Now, without fear, we can proudly stand behind truly serving our sacrament, ayahuasca, in the light she deserves.”
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