Psychedelic Church Fights for Right to Use Flavored E-Cigarettes

The intersection of drug use and religion in the United States raises many questions, and it can lead to interesting religious freedom lawsuits. The country has certainly seen its fair share of lawsuits involving the consumption of marijuana by Rastafarians, who see this drug as a central aspect of their faith. There have also been lawsuits associated with ceremonial drugs used by indigenous groups. But what about e-cigarettes? Could an organization really attempt to claim that flavored vape juice is central to their faith? The answer is complicated.

Organization Alleges Faith-Based Reasons for Using and Selling Drugs and E-Cigarettes

In late September of 2025, Utah News Dispatch reported that a notorious vape shop had been raided by law enforcement officers. Arriving in South Salt Lake dressed in riot gear and armed with assault rifles, the officers breached the doors and shut down the smoke shop’s surveillance cameras. They then confiscated marijuana, magic mushroom products, and e-cigarettes. The officers also collected “clergy rosters,” membership records, and other documents related to a non-denominational church. 

This church is not like other churches. Members of this church use psychedelic drugs in their rituals or “sacraments.” The church has multiple locations and branches across not only the United States, but also Mexico. Both of its locations in Utah were raided by law enforcement at the same time. 

In the eyes of law enforcement, there is not much distinction between the church and a drug trafficking network. After the raid, officials noted that they had seized over 4 kilos of cannabis buds, almost 1,000 joints, over 150 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, multiple mushroom gummies, and various THC edibles. They also seized thousands of flavored vape cartridges used in e-cigarettes. 

In response to this raid, the church sued the state. They argue that the seized cannabis and psilocybin are “sacramental property” that is off-limits due to its religious significance. The lawsuit also pushes for mandatory religious sensitivity training for all law enforcement organizations involved in this raid. Finally, the church is asking for the safe return of all their drugs. 

E-Cigarettes More of an Issue than Cannabis and Magic Mushrooms?

But there’s only one problem, something the District Attorney’s Office was quick to point out: There is no religious value associated with vape cartridges. The plaintiffs might have a valid constitutional argument when it comes to the religious status of the mushrooms and weed, but there is nothing sacramental about bubble-gum flavored nicotine juice. Flavored vapes were recently banned in Utah. 

We now have an incredible situation in which flavored e-cigarettes might be more illegal than magic mushrooms and cannabis, and these vape cartridges could prove to be the non-denominational church’s downfall. It may also allow the authorities to classify the smoke shops as places of commerce rather than churches, thereby crushing their constitutional argument as well. 

Prosecutors say that multiple businesses were operating within these smoke shops, including an organization with the words “Vapor Company” in its official title. Was this a church selling vape cartridges on the side? Or, as law enforcement argues, was this entire organization focused on selling as many substances as possible while relying on the legal loophole of religion?

The Goal of the Universal Life Church’s Blog

Each month, various lawsuits test the nature of religious rights in this country. While the basis for many religious rights is the United States Constitution, there are still countless cases that question the exact nature of these rights. The Universal Life Church’s blog is focused on documenting the most noteworthy of these cases in an objective manner that can be easily understood by readers.