Document: 546 U.S. 418 (2006) GONZALES, ATTORNEY GENERAL, ET AL. v. O CENTRO ESPIRITA BENEFICENTE UNIAO DO VEGETAL No. 04-1084. Supreme Court of United States. Argued November 1, 2005. Decided February 21, 2006. *422 Deputy Solicitor General Kneedler argued the cause for petitioners. With him on brief were Clement, Assistant Attorney Keisler, Katsas, Patricia A. Millett, Michael Jay Singer, and Matthew M. Collette. Nancy Hollander respondents. her John W. Boyd Zachary Ives.[*] *423 CHIEF JUSTICE ROBERTS delivered opinion Court. A religious sect with origins in Amazon Rainforest receives communion by drinking a sacramental tea, brewed from plants unique to region, that contains hallucinogen regulated under Controlled Substances Act Federal Government. The Government concedes this practice is sincere exercise religion, but nonetheless sought prohibit small American branch engaging practice, ground bars all use hallucinogen. sued block enforcement against it ban moved preliminary injunction. It relied Religious Freedom Restoration 1993, which prohibits substantially burdening person's unless "demonstrates application burden person" represents least restrictive means advancing compelling interest. 42 U.S.C. § 2000bb-1(b). District granted injunction, Appeals affirmed. We Government's petition certiorari. Before Court, central submission has interest uniform Act, such no exception can be made accommodate sect's practice. conclude not carried expressly placed Congress affirm grant *424 I In Employment Div., Dept. Human Resources Ore. Smith, 494 872 (1990), held Free Exercise Clause First Amendment does governments practices through generally applicable laws. we rejected challenge an Oregon statute denied unemployment benefits drug users, including Native Americans engaged peyote. Id., at 890. so doing, interpretation announced Sherbert Verner, 374 398 (1963), and, accord earlier cases, see U.S., 879-880, 884-885, Constitution require judges engage case-by-case assessment burdens imposed facially constitutional 883-890. responded enacting 1993 (RFRA), 107 Stat. 1488, as amended, 2000bb et seq., adopts statutory rule comparable Smith. Under RFRA, may not, matter, "even if results general applicability." 2000bb-1(a). only recognized requires satisfy testto "demonstrat[e] person(1) furtherance governmental interest; (2) furthering interest." person whose are burdened violation RFRA "may assert claim or defense judicial proceeding obtain appropriate relief." 2000bb-1(c).[1] *425 84 1242, 21 801 seq. (2000 ed. Supp. I), regulates importation, manufacture, distribution, psychotropic substances. classifies substances into five schedules based their potential abuse, extent they have accepted medical use, safety. See 812(b) ed.). listed Schedule subject most comprehensive restrictions, outright importation except pursuant strictly research projects. §§ 823, 960(a)(1). authorizes imposition criminal sentence simple possession substances, 844(a), mandates "with intent distribute, dispense" 841(a), (b). Centro Espírita Beneficente União do Vegetal (UDV) Christian Spiritist Brazil, approximately 130 individuals. Central UDV's faith receiving hoasca (pronounced "wass-ca"), tea two region. One plants, psychotriaviridis, dimethyltryptamine (DMT), effects enhanced alkaloids other plant, banisteriopsis caapi. DMT, well "any material, compound, mixture, preparation, any quantity [DMT]," Act. 812(c), I(c). 1999, States Customs inspectors intercepted shipment UDV containing three drums hoasca. subsequent investigation revealed had received 14 prior shipments seized threatened prosecution. filed suit federal law officials, seeking declaratory injunctive relief. complaint alleged, inter alia, applying *426 violates RFRA. Prior trial, could continue its pending trial merits. At hearing conceded challenged would religion UDV. Espirita Beneficiente Uniao Ashcroft, 282 F. 2d 1236, 1252 (NM 2002). argued, however, did violate because case was interests: protecting health safety members, preventing diversion church recreational complying 1971 Nations Convention Psychotropic Substances, treaty signed implemented Feb. 1971, [1979-1980] 32 T. 543, I. S. 9725. 2d, 1252-1253. heard evidence both parties risks church. presented effect hoasca, DMT more generally, psychotic reactions, cardiac irregularities, adverse interactions. countered citing studies documenting presenting minimized likelihood raised respect diversion, pointed rise illicit hallucinogens, cited illegal particular; emphasized thinness market relatively amounts substance imported church, absence problem past. concluded "in equipoise," similarly "virtually balanced." 1262, 1266. *427 face even showing, court reasoned failed demonstrate justifying what acknowledged substantial exercise. 1255. also asserted holding apply 1266-1269. entered injunction prohibiting enforcing import permits, restrict control over persons authority, warn particularly susceptible members dangers Preliminary Injunction ¶¶ 2, 5-12, 32-33, App. F Pet. Cert. 249a, 250a-252a, 258a-259a. provides "if [the Government] believe[s] exists negatively affected members," "that contain[s] dangerous levels expedite[d] determination whether warrants suspension revocation authority hoasca]." 257a, ¶ 29. appealed panel Tenth Circuit affirmed, 342 F.3d 1170 (2003), majority sitting en banc, 389 973 (2004). 544 (2005). II Although briefs contain some discussion harm Court's factual findings conclusion submitted *428 these issues evenly balanced. Instead, maintains evidentiary equipoise insufficient basis issuing review legal rulings de novo ultimate decision issue abuse discretion. McCreary County Civil Liberties Union Ky., 545 844, 867 begins invoking well-established principle party pretrial relief bears demonstrating success See, e. g., Mazurek Armstrong, 520 968, 972 (1997) (per curiam); Doran Salem Inn, Inc., 422 922, 931 (1975). argues lost sight mere tie record. banc argument, we. prima facie (application (1) (3) exercise). found related interests Government, formed part affirmative defense. 2000bb-1(b) ("Government demonstrates ..." (emphasis added)); 2000bb-2(3) ("[T]he term `demonstrates' meets going forward persuasion"). Accordingly, effectively demonstrated burdened, would, likely than justified interests. *429 F.3d, 1009 (SEYMOUR, J., concurring dissenting part) balance between actual irreparable [the] plaintiff government level preponderance evidence"). that, although bear merits, should borne disproving This argument foreclosed our recent Ashcroft Union, 542 656 affirmed where show test. "[a]s proof question Act's] constitutionality, respondents movants] must deemed prevail shown respondents' proposed less alternatives effective [enforcing Act]." 666. That logic extends case; here first prong test, reach prong, make difference. point remains stage track trial. attempts limit content-based restrictions speech, distinction unavailing. fact involved restriction reason Amendment, id., 665, way consequences having purposes Here squarely rather 2000bb-1(b), 2000bb-2(3), *430 same. Congress's express legislate test indicates challenges adjudicated same manner constitutionally mandated applications stage. III second line rests itself. contends Act's description "a high abuse," "no currently treatment States," lack . supervision," 812(b)(1), itself precludes consideration individualized exceptions goes argue regulatory regime established Acta "closed" system controlled authorized itself, Gonzales Raich, 13 (2005) "cannot function necessary rigor comprehensiveness subjected exemptions." Brief Petitioners 18. According there cabin once recognized, "the public will misread" signaling harmful after all. 23. view, need assess particulars weigh impact exemption specific serves purpose simply admits exceptions. strict scrutiny adopted, contemplate inquiry focused categorical approach. satisfied "to person"the particular *431 claimant being burdened. adopted "as set forth (1963) Wisconsin Yoder, 406 205 (1972)." 2000bb(b)(1). each those looked beyond broadly formulated applicability scrutinized granting exemptions claimants. example, permitted Amish children compulsory school attendance law. State "paramount" education, "despite admitted validity generality searchingly examine seeks promote impediment objectives flow recognizing claimed exemption." 213, 221 added). explained needed particularity how admittedly strong adversely Amish." 236 Sherbert, upheld state denying who work Saturdays, announcing right "all convictions unemployment." 410 distinguished employee's serve nonproductive member society." Ibid.; 899 (O'CONNOR, judgment) (strict "at question, sensitive facts claim"). Outside area well, noted "[c]ontext matters" Grutter Bollinger, 539 306, 327 *432 "strict take `relevant differences' accountindeed, fundamental purpose," Adarand Constructors, Inc. Peña, 515 200, 228 (1995). B required invocation characteristics cannot carry day. true, course, exceptionally dangerous. Touby States, 500 160, 162 (1991). Nevertheless, indication Congress, classifying considered harms posed here circumscribed, litigated below. showing harms, "ignore legislative elected place materials [Act], reflecting `a abuse,' `no States,' `[t]here [DMT] supervision.'" 1254. But Congress' provide answer relieves obligation shoulder reinforced provision authorizing "waive requirement registration certain manufacturers, distributors, dispensers he finds consistent safety." 822(d). contemplates exempting *433 people requirements "consistent safety" congressional determinative weight, purposes, ascribe them. And been use. For past 35 years, peyotea substanceby Church. CFR 1307.31 1994, extended every Indian Tribe. 1996a(b)(1). Everything says about hoascathat, substance, determined "has use," 812(b)(1)applies equal measure mescaline peyote, yet Executive decreed If 812(b)(1) hundreds thousands practicing faith, difficult alone preclude similar want theirs. Church Lukumi Babalu Aye, Hialeah, 508 520, 547 (1993) ("It jurisprudence regarded `of highest order' ... when leaves appreciable damage supposedly vital unprohibited'" (quoting Florida Star B. J. F., 491 524, 541-542 (1989) (SCALIA, judgment))). responds "unique relationship" Tribes, 27; Morton Mancari, 417 535 (1974), *434 never explains "unique" relationship justifies overriding relies resisting words, always highly amount matter used, Tribes allowing peyote? Nothing political status makes immune asserts accompany nor insulates alleged risk diversion. existence peyote indicate amenable judicially crafted plainly courts recognize exceptionsthat works. 2000bb-1(c) ("A section government"). role exemptionand Executive's, (2005)confirms altogether; clear consider Congress. C fatally undermines broader contention establishes closed effectiveness "necessarily undercut" uniformly applied, without regard exception, *435 since outset "undercut" ability enforce non-Indians. points pre-Smith cases relying uniformity rejecting claims Clause, 16, strike us quite different present one. Those embrace notion exercise; instead why accommodated. Lee, 455 252 (1982), pay Social Security taxes, noting "mandatory participation indispensable fiscal vitality social security system" "tax denominations allowed tax payments spent belief." 258, 260. Hernandez Commissioner, 490 680, 700 (same). Braunfeld Brown, 366 599 (1961) (plurality opinion), Sunday closing laws, "might claimants] economic Fadvantage competitors remain day." 608-609. whole "uniform day rest workers" defeated 408 (discussing Braunfeld). These program offering requested accommodations seriously compromise administer program. different; much slippery-slope concerns invoked *436 response echoes classic rejoinder bureaucrats throughout history: you, I'll one everybody, operates mandating consideration, "rule[s] legislated "is workable striking sensible balances liberty competing interests." 2000bb(a)(5). support cases; offered case, dismissing possibility" State's speculation filing fraudulent unscrupulous claimants feigning objections Saturday work" drain fund. 407. reaffirmed just last Term feasibility rules. Cutter Wilkinson, 709 (2005), Land Use Institutionalized Persons 2000, allows prisoners seek standard Establishment Clause. believe" "would applied appropriately balanced way" arose. 722. suggested up task. doubt instances recognition laws surprising find given longstanding very enacted respond *437 substance. 2000bb(a)(4). kind administrative Hernandez, Braunfeld. convince banning compensate failure now bold Tr. Oral Arg. 17 (Deputy statement "rigorously policed" "one drop" "once year"). IV compliance Convention, calls signatories DMT. meeting international obligations Convention. cover official commentary notes "Schedule [of Convention] list natural hallucinogenic materials," "[p]lants andit submittedare be, I, products obtained plants." U. N. Commentary 387, 385 (1976). like made, sufficiently distinct fall outside treaty. *438 agree. preparation measures contains," defines "preparation" solution whatever physical state, substances." T., 546, Art. 1(f)(i); 551, 3. Hoasca "solution mixture" DMT; process brewing water, opposed advanced method, change that. To suggests themselves covered momentthe themselves, qualifies automatically mean implements tea. stage, suffices observe submit addressing affidavits Department officials attesting importance honoring maintaining leadership position war drugs. Declaration Gary Sheridan (Jan. 24, 2001), G 261a; Robert E. Dalton H, 265a. interests, promoting standing alone, enough.[2] *439 * repeatedly invokes underlying too. "laws `neutral' toward surely intended interfere exercise," test" "strik[e] 2000bb(a)(2), (5). pretend task assigned easy Indeed, sort difficulties highlighted deciding approach later 885-890. balances, address issue. Applying below err determining demonstrate, barring judgment remanded further proceedings opinion. ordered. ALITO took case. NOTES [*] Marci Hamilton Tort Claimants' Committee al. amici curiae urging reversal. Briefs affirmance Baptist Joint Gene C. Schaerr, Linda Coberly, Thomas Berg, Gregory Baylor; Council Spiritual Practices David Goldberg; Conference Catholic Bishops Mark Chopko Jeffrey Hunter Moon; Dr. H. Halpern Roy Haber; Douglas Laycock Mr. Laycock, pro se. International Academy Religion Belief Lee Boothby, Derek Davis, Destro, Cole Durham, Jr.; Liberty Legal Institute Kelly Shackelford; Various Rights Organizations Anthony R. Picarello, Gable Peter D. Kennedy. [1] As originally enacted, City Boerne Flores, 521 507 (1997), 5 Fourteenth Amendment. [2] light foregoing, 22, 5, read domestic

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