Defending Religious Freedom: Representing the Arizona Yage Assembly v. Bondi

Arizona Yagé Assembly and affiliated churches are challenging the federal government’s treatment of sincere religious use of entheogenic sacraments, particularly ayahuasca, under the Controlled Substances Act. At its core, the case asserts that blanket criminal prohibitions and aggressive enforcement actions substantially burden religious exercise in violation of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) and the First Amendment. The plaintiffs' sacramental use of entheogens is central to a sincere, long-standing religious practice, and the government has failed to meet its burden of showing a compelling interest pursued through the least restrictive means. The Rights and Reason Project Founder, Robert T. Rush, is serving as lead counsel directing the ongoing litigation.

This legal battle highlights a fundamental constitutional principle: while the government has authority to regulate drugs generally, its power to prohibit religious exercise is very limited. Under RFRA and settled Supreme Court precedent, the government may not suppress religious expression merely because it is unconventional or politically unpopular. Nor may it demand prior permission, intrusive disclosures, or coercive compliance that chills free exercise, association, and conscience. The case thus sits at the intersection of religious liberty, bodily autonomy, and limits on executive power.

The Rights and Reason Project is assisting in this litigation as part of its broader mission to defend cognitive liberty, religious freedom, and constitutional limits on drug prohibition. Through legal strategy, research, and public education, the project seeks to ensure that emerging and minority religious practices receive the same constitutional respect afforded to more familiar faiths. The litigation is directed by Robert Rush, serving as lead counsel, who is fighting for people's right to worship as they choose, rather than have the government decide, including through the sacramental use of psychedelic entheogens.