An honest thought since I’ve been raising so many beautiful plants in this world, like #Opuntia, #Trichocereus, and #Stenocereus: Why is #Peyote (#Lophophora #Williamsii) outlawed in the United States? This doesn’t even make sense to me. Who cares what the plant is naturally made of? It’s such a beautiful creature; the flowers are absolutely fantastic and its very existence is getting close to the endangered list along the Rio Grande in Far West Texas where it’s DNA begins. It’s appearance is absolutely photogenic to me as a photographer. It can be grown from seed but most American Citizens can’t grow a Peyote cactus or plant because it’s illegal for them to cultivate in the United States! This is completely ludicrous and I would say it’s persecution and intolerance towards the natural existence of this being and and those that have a belief in developing a mutual bond with the plants and animals that depend on them for their survival. It’s a deep and meaningful relationship to take care of something that depends on you for it’s wellbeing. I believe that I share a psychic connection to the plants I take serious responsibility for. I also think this attitude and outlook of outlawing certain plants is all wrapped up in the colonial and genocidal policies that have always hindered truth and religious tolerance and freedom in the US. I first learned of Peyote in High School when researching the powerful native indigenous spiritual leader by the name of #Wovoka - who came from the Northern Paiute and brought with him some very powerful visions, which inspired the legendary Ghost Dance. So many of these spiritual ceremonies were outlawed, made illegal and not tolerated until a few became legalized in the late 1970s. It’s actually a very small minority of people who even utilize Peyote for religious purposes but I think it’s prohibition was simply steeped up in the same genocidal Colonialism consuming all of the American Continent: a horrible and repulsive history with a sickness paradigm that needs to shift for the betterment of any future...this #JuniperTree is native in the Homelands of #JimWilson’s people aka, the #NorthernPiaute. https://www.instagram.com/p/B5_SHepBsPb/?igshid=15g569fzhxyxm
