Utah County: Members claim officials unduly burdened the free practice of their religion

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Federal prosecutors on Wednesday dropped charges against a husband and wife accused of illegally distributing peyote after they agreed to stay away from the hallucinogenic drug.

BOSTON -- A study of the effects of peyote on American Indians found no evidence that the hallucinogenic cactus caused brain damage or psychological problems among people who used it frequently in religious ceremonies.

A judge on Tuesday threw out a lawsuit filed by an American Indian church and its founder that sought return of peyote seized by Utah County authorities five years ago.

Man Collects Peyote Buttons From Cactus for American Indian Rites

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) - Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr. has signed a law that makes it legal for Navajos to transport and possess peyote for ceremonial purposes on Navajo Nation land.

Called a danger to community: Witnesses testify James "Flaming Eagle" had threatened them for cooperating in an investigation

SPANISH FORK — Medicine man James "Flaming Eagle" Mooney and his wife, Linda, were arrested Thursday by Drug Enforcement Agency officials.

A nightmarish childhood experience moved James Warren "Flaming Eagle" Mooney to take up one of the oldest jobs in North American history. Once charged with a dozen felonies for giving peyote to 'non-Native Americans' in religious ceremonies, Mooney's legal battle culminated in a landmark court ruling that protected him from prosecution in Utah courts. But Mooney's legal troubles are not over. The latest swords to hang over him are a brewing federal criminal case and a bill that could change Utah's drug law to forbid peyote use by non-American Indians.

When Spanish explorers first stepped onto America's soil, several tribes in northern Mexico had already used peyote for a dozen generations.

More than a dozen undercover officers observed a downtown peace-pipe ceremony Wednesday morning by James "Flaming Eagle" Mooney to honor his attorney and recent win at the Utah Supreme Court.

A Utah County man today celebrated his right to religious freedom. The Native American Church leader fought for his right to use peyote and the Utah Supreme Court agreed.

Though the Utah Supreme Court has approved peyote use for Native American Church members regardless of race, Utah's federal prosecutors may not.

What makes someone a member of a religion? Is it something gained as a birthright, at a baptism, a result of devotional church attendance or even race? A case in Utah over peyote use has unearthed such questions, and the discussion seems to be just getting started.

PROVO, Utah (AP) -- A drug charge against a Provo man accused of distributing peyote to non-Indians has been dismissed in the wake of a Utah Supreme Court ruling that use of peyote in religious ceremonies cannot be limited to Indians.