This article discusses the decriminalization of naturally occurring psychoactive substances used in ceremonial contexts in Mexico, focusing on the Santo Daime religion, an Amazonian-Brazilian faith that uses ayahuasca. Santo Daime has internationalized, and in some countries legal controversies have been resolved favorably for adherents. The text pursues three objectives: 1) to share important aspects of the cult and its doctrine; 2) to present the arguments that have supported its controlled use, mainly in Brazil; and 3) to reflect on the characteristics and challenges of legalizing Santo Daime in Mexico.
Among non-indigenous middle-class men and women in Mexico who consume peyote within the ritual format of the Native American Church, therapeutic benefits are evident. Using open and structured interviews, the study assessed drug-related disorders and risks, particularly from peyote. The most relevant results include the construction of narratives in which participants assume a process of healing, apparent in changes in habits and social relationships. Clinically, 85% of the sample shows evident improvements compared to their previous situation. The findings highlight the role of a highly disciplined ritual and the creation of affective and emotional bonds within the group.