Today, “Lophophora Williamsii” is illegal to grow and possess as per the Controlled Substances Act of 1970. … In 1993, the church was granted permission by the U.S. government to legally harvest and use peyote. Unfortunately, the naturally-growing peyote the NAC uses is edging toward becoming an endangered species.
Correspondingly, why is lophophora illegal?
This is because people who adhere to the Native American Church (also known as peyotism) consume peyote as part of their religious rituals. The California Supreme Court has held that a person may not be convicted of simple possession of peyote for possessing and using peyote as part of a legitimate religious ritual.
