It has been theorized that peyote was used in rituals by native cultures in Texas and Mexico since 1000 B.C. Catholic priests have recorded the use of this drug as early as June of 1521(Erowid 2005). Throughout recent history (mainly the last century), the cultures that used peyote have undergone hostility and punishment in order to hinder its consumption. At present day, there is still some who believe that peyote's use should be forbidden because it is an illegal drug. The opposition to this is that if peyote is used in religious practices, as it often is in Native American rituals, its use is protected by the U.S. Constitution. The First Amendment of the Constitution states "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..." Although the First Amendment appears to be very clear in stating one's freedom of religion, numerous attempts have been made in order to stop the use of peyote in Native American religious ceremonies.
             Scientifically known as Lophophora williamsii, peyote is described as a spineless, blue-green, button-like cactus (Gottlieb 1997). The plant is small and segmented, usually only measuring one to two inches across. Only a small portion of the cactus is above ground. It has a long taproot with only the crown above the surface of the ground. Peyote produces one or two pink flowers on the top of the crown. It grows usually as a single crown or in clusters found to measure up to six feet across (Stewart 1987; 11).
             The active ingredient in peyote is mescaline, scientifically known as 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenethylamine. Mescaline is found naturally in peyote and several other cacti but can be produced synthetically in a lab. In 1896, mescaline, the first hallucinogenic compound ever isolated, was extracted from peyote by Arthur Heffter. The difference between the experiences of peyote and pure mescaline, peyote being more physical, is ...