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dabcult
for exemple I tought religious belief made a difference but you say No
So is it only a question of safety ?
The content of their religious beliefs cannot be considered in these cases. What the courts and the DEA can consider is whether it is a fake religion made up to get around the law. But that is not what we should get involved in. The DEA can figure that part out for themselves.
It is the safety issue that will matter to them. But we don't want to imply that ayahuasca is merely dangerous and should be banned, it can be a very valuable therapeutic tool. And people who use it alone as a form of self-therapy may have frightening or difficult experiences, but lasting harm is rare (and lasting benefit is possible). But group ceremonies are a different story, people can be harmed in incompetently run large group ceremonies. We don't want to say anything that would contribute to closing the door on legitimate uses of ayahuasca, or encourage them to go after individuals using it independently, but specify we are talking about the potential problems of large group ceremonies without competent leadership.