Provo police ordered by federal judge to return psychedelic mushrooms to Provo-based religious group

SALT LAKE CITY — A legal showdown over psychedelic sacraments is heating up in Provo as Singularism, a religious group that believes in using psilocybin mushrooms to deepen their connection with God, faces off against local authorities.

Founded by Bridger Lee Jensen, Singularism uses psilocybin mushrooms as a central part of its spiritual ceremonies. Members, known as “voyagers,” view the mushrooms as sacred tools that help them grow and meet their full potential.

Jensen emphasized that Singularism is not for everyone, but for those called to it.

“Singularism is made for those that it calls to,” Jensen said. ” … For those who feel the need to embark on their own psychedelic therapy journey to grow and develop.”

Seizure of psychedelic mushrooms

In September 2023, as Jensen opened their spiritual center in Provo, he reached out to local officials, including the mayor, city council, district attorney and police chief, inviting them to tour the center and understand the group’s practices. However, no one responded to the invitation.

Then, on Nov. 11, 2024, Provo police arrived at the center with a search and seizure warrant. Officers seized items including Singularism’s sacred scriptures, described by Jensen as guides for their spiritual journeys, as well as 450 grams of psilocybin mushrooms from a locked safe.

According to court documents, officers not only seized the group’s property but also recommended that Singularism cease its religious practices and warned Jensen to expect criminal charges.

Two days later, Provo police sent a letter to the center’s landlord, labeling Singularism a “drug-distributing nuisance” and threatening civil abatement unless the group was evicted. The landlord, however, defended Singularism, praising them as exemplary tenants and stating that any further action should wait until the legal matter was resolved in court.

Jensen then filed a legal challenge in state court, arguing that Singularism should be granted an exemption from drug laws based on religious freedom. However, officials rejected this, claiming Singularism wasn’t a legitimate religion and asserting that the government had a compelling interest in stopping the group from distributing illegal substances.

The case was moved to federal court, where Judge Jill Parrish issued a temporary restraining order, ordering the return of the seized items. But just five days later, Jensen was hit with criminal charges, including possession of psilocybin with intent to distribute, possession of THC, and drug paraphernalia.

Religious freedom arguments

Despite the criminal charges, the federal case continued. On Feb. 20, Judge Parrish ruled in favor of Singularism, granting a preliminary injunction that allowed the group to continue holding its ceremonies while the case progresses. The order also required authorities to return the psilocybin mushrooms within 14 days.

The raid on Singularism’s center occurred nearly eight months after Utah Gov. Spencer Cox signed the Exercise of Religion Amendments, which advocates say is designed to protect religious groups from government interference.

Jensen acknowledged the emotional toll the raid had taken on him and his group.

“It profoundly impacted us,” he said. ” … In transparency, I didn’t bring on any new voyagers for months without telling them about the pending lawsuit. That impacted our growth.”

However, he said the support from his community was unwavering.

“Nobody distanced themselves from me. Nobody said, ‘I’m scared of this.’ They all backed me up.”

Judge Parrish noted in her ruling that this case challenges the state of Utah’s commitment to religious freedom, stating that the state must protect both popular and minority religious groups.

“The religious-exercise claims of a minority entheogenic religion put the State of Utah’s commitment to religious freedom to the test,” Parrish wrote.

Though Jensen and Singularism received a temporary win in February, the legal battle is far from over. Jensen has expressed concern over the growing legal costs, prompting the group to launch a fundraiser* to support their defense.

Jensen’s attorney, Tanner Bean, called the case a landmark moment for religious freedom.

“For me, it’s a great example of religious freedom being for all individuals, otherwise, it doesn’t serve everyone in principle. It’s more a matter of religious favoritism or preference for religions we find more palatable as a society.”

Next steps

Jensen shared how Singularism developed a comprehensive policy and procedure manual for the safe use of psilocybin in its rituals.

“We’ve taken inspiration from institutions like Johns Hopkins, Harvard University, Oregon state laws, and even Utah’s psychedelic task force to create a robust manual that the judge reviewed and found that we are practicing safely.”

Meanwhile, Provo police spokesperson Jana-Lee Holland confirmed that the department is seeking criminal charges at the district court level, though they are still awaiting a response from the county attorney’s office.

This case is quickly becoming a significant moment in Utah’s religious freedom history and could have broader implications in the ongoing national debate over the intersection of religious liberty and psychedelic use.

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