Utah Bill Narrowing Peyote Exemption Moves Forward

In Utah yesterday, according to the Salt Lake Tribune, the state Senate Judiciary Committee approved HB 60, which will limit permission to use peyote in religious ceremonies to members of federally recognized American Indian tribes. A 2004 Utah Supreme Court case, State v. Mooney, held that any member of the Native American Church was covered by Utah's present exemption, even if that person is not a member of a recognized Indian tribe. While HB 60 mirrors current federal law, some senators questioned whether it improperly restrict religious freedom.