Legal Notice.
Spore Foundation is a lawfully established Faith-Based Organization operating as a 508(c)(1)(A) religious nonprofit. The Church affirms the legal rights of the Church and its adult members under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993, 42 U.S.C. § 2000bb, et seq. (“RFRA”), and the Colorado Constitution, Article II, Section 4, which protects the free exercise of religion, as well as other applicable state and federal laws.
The Church’s sincerely held religious beliefs include the sacred use of entheogenic sacraments in bona fide religious ceremony. Accordingly, the Church and its ministers affirm their right to engage in the reverent and responsible use of entheogenic sacraments as part of bona fide religious practice, free from undue government interference, consistent with applicable federal and state law. This includes sacraments that are scheduled under federal and state law.
For purposes of the Church, sacraments include psilocybin, DMT, cannabis, and other sacred teacher molecules gifted by nature. These sacraments have been used in spiritual and religious ceremonies across cultures for centuries. The Church and its members affirm their right to responsibly and reverently use these sacraments in religious ceremony in ways that are exempted from the federal Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. § 801, et seq. (“CSA”), and applicable state Controlled Substances Acts, pursuant to the protections of RFRA, and other applicable law.
Participation in sacramental use within the Church is strictly limited to adult members and is always conducted with reverence, responsibility, and in alignment with the Church’s Code of Ethics. The Spore Foundation does not provide medical, therapeutic, or recreational services, and its ceremonies are matters of sincere religious practice and belief.
The right to use entheogens in the sincere exercise of religion is inherent in state and federal constitutions, including the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. This right is further supported by federal and state religious freedom protection statutes, such as the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (RFRA).
Courts across the nation, including the United States Supreme Court, have recognized the right of churches and their representatives to responsibly use entheogenic sacraments in furtherance of sincerely held religious beliefs. Notable cases include:
Gonzales v. O Centro Espirita Beneficente Uniao do Vegetal, 546 U.S. 418, 126 S. Ct. 1211, 163 L. Ed. 2d 1017 (2006) (“UDV Decision”) — affirming the religious right of the church and its members to use formulations of DMT-containing ayahuasca.
Church of the Holy Light of the Queen v. Mukasey, 615 F.Supp.2d 1210 (D. Or. 2009) (“Santo Daime Decision”) — recognizing the religious right of the church and its members to use formulations of DMT-containing ayahuasca.
State v. Mack, 2020 N.H. Lexis 206 (N.H. Dec. 22, 2020) — New Hampshire Supreme Court vacating a denial of motion to dismiss prosecution for possession and sacramental use of psilocybin and psilocin in furtherance of sincerely held religious beliefs.
The Spore Foundation respectfully asserts its rights to seek attorney’s fees and other remedies to the extent that any private or government actor impinges upon the rights of the Church or its adult members to safely and responsibly practice their religion. See generally, 42 U.S.C. § 1988(b).
The Spore Foundation embraces a non-dogmatic, nature-centered approach that honors and draws from the customs and wisdom of many spiritual traditions that respect and value life. We believe that all authentic paths hold elements of Universal Truth, and that the Divine — which we understand as the living Cycles of Nature — reveals itself through order, renewal, and connection. Within this framework, we affirm that Love and Reverence are the foundation of creation, healing, and community.
We believe that the Sacred Teacher Molecules — including psilocybin, DMT, cannabis, and other entheogenic sacraments are profound gifts of nature and sacred expressions of our higher power. When engaged with reverence, in ceremony, and with sincere intention, these sacraments serve as bridges to deeper connection with self, community, the Earth, and the living cosmos. Through them, participants may access personal divinity, healing, spiritual awakening, and communion with the sacred rhythms of life.
The Spore Foundation is dedicated to ensuring that all religious practices conducted under these sincerely held beliefs do not disturb the peace of the communities in which we are present. Our doctrines prohibit anyone from engaging with the sacraments unless (a) they are motivated by sincere religious beliefs, and (b) they are participating in a Church-sanctioned religious ritual or ceremony.
The Church maintains strict rules concerning the preparation, handling, and distribution of sacraments. All engagement with the sacraments must be done with reverence and under the guidance of ordained ministers of the Church. Only ordained ministers, who have received the necessary training and approval, may prepare and serve the sacraments in accordance with Church procedures.
No minister will be ordained unless they have demonstrated a deep understanding of Church policies, procedures, and ethical commitments, including strict safeguards to prevent the diversion of sacraments outside of authorized religious use. The Church has developed practices for the storage, quantification, and use of sacraments, ensuring they are protected from misappropriation. We are committed to reviewing and enhancing these practices as needed, while affirming and reserving our right to engage with the sacraments without government interference, consistent with the U.S. Constitution, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), and applicable federal and state law, including the UDV Decision and the Santo Daime Decision.