First Church of Cannabis

[WhoDeyWho]

(06-12-2015, 12:25 PM)Au165 Wrote: Actually Gonzales v. O Centro Espirita Beneficiente Uniao Do Vegetal set a precedent for small obscure religions to use drugs fore religious use. The 1993 Religious Freedom Restoration Act basically says that no federal law shall substantially burden a person’s exercise of religion. The government has to prove that it will not hinder their religion or that stopping said practice is in the best interest of the public (greater good). The facts are a little different in this case, but it would set up an interesting show down on what constitutes a "real" religion.

You are right.  These laws place the burden on the state.  Not sure if the courts want to put themselves in the position to be the arbiters of what religions are "true" and which one's aren't.  

Ultimately, I think it comes down to proving a compelling interest.  Obviously the fact that something is "illegal" is the reason these laws exist in the first place.