SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) A church whose members drink a hallucinogenic tea as a sacrament will be reimbursed $750,000 by Santa Fe County's insurer for legal fees as part of a settlement that resolves a land-use dispute. The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that the dispute arose last year when the county denied a request by O Centro Espirita Beneficente Uniao do Vegetal's Santa Fe branch to build a temple.
Residents opposed the plan and the county denied the construction as incompatible with the neighborhood. UDV quickly appealed to federal court, claiming religious discrimination. A judge sided with for the church and the county began settlement negotiations with the church.
The settlement allows UDV to build its temple, but not a greenhouse or new yurt and puts limits on services and attendance.
