---
title: "The Supreme Court’s Decision in <i>Gonzales v. O Centro Espirita</i>"
description: "On Feb. 29, 2006, the Supreme Court ruled that the adherents of a small religious group can continue, for now at least, to import and use an illegal drug in their worship services. The court, in a unanimous decision written by new Chief Justice John Roberts, held that the federal government had not adequately demonstrated [&hellip;]"
date: "2006-04-06"
authors:
  - name: "Joseph Liu"
    job_title: "Guest Contributor"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2006/04/06/the-supreme-courts-decision-in-gonzales-v-o-centro-espirita/"
categories:
  - "Beliefs & Practices"
  - "Supreme Court"
---

# The Supreme Court’s Decision in <i>Gonzales v. O Centro Espirita</i>

On Feb. 29, 2006, the Supreme Court ruled that the adherents of a small religious group can continue, for now at least, to import and use an illegal drug in their worship services. The court, in a unanimous decision written by new Chief Justice John Roberts, held that the federal government had not adequately demonstrated that it had a compelling interest in banning what even federal prosecutors admit is a "sincere religious practice."