A 52-year-old man from Nova Scotia who faced drug charges related to spiritual rituals he conducted at his rural residence using a hallucinogenic beverage from the Amazon has been granted a conditional discharge by Nova Scotia Supreme Court Justice Josh Arnold. The man, Michael Adzich, will not have a criminal record if he complies with a three-year probation order.
Adzich’s attorney argued that having a criminal record would impede his client’s ability to participate in ceremonies involving the tea known as ayahuasca in Peru. Justice Arnold justified the conditional discharge by emphasizing the probation conditions’ deterrent effect and the various factors at play in the case, ensuring public confidence in the enforcement of criminal law remains intact.
Following the sentencing hearing in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Adzich was greeted by over a dozen supporters who cheered for him. Adzich was arrested during an ayahuasca ceremony at his yurt near Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, in November 2022. He and his supporters advocate for the positive effects of the ceremonies on well-being and trauma recovery.
Initially, Adzich contested the charges, citing violations of his religious freedom rights. However, he pleaded guilty in May to importing and possessing DMT for trafficking purposes, a substance crucial to ayahuasca but illegal in Canada. While the prosecution highlighted the potential dangers of ayahuasca, including risks for individuals with heart conditions, the defense argued that Adzich conducted the ceremonies safely by screening participants.
As part of the three-year probation, Adzich must perform 200 hours of community service, maintain good behavior, and refrain from possessing or consuming DMT and two other substances in Canada. Adzich’s lawyer stressed the importance of the conditional discharge, particularly for his client’s travel plans to Peru for ayahuasca ceremonies.
Although religious groups in Canada can apply for exemptions to use ayahuasca for spiritual purposes, Arnold noted that Adzich did not pursue such an exemption. Character references submitted by Adzich’s friends and supporters highlighted his sincerity, compassion, and spirituality.
During the sentencing hearing, the prosecution attempted to challenge Adzich’s integrity, pointing out his deceptive actions in importing ayahuasca. Arnold criticized Adzich for misleading a former girlfriend to accept an ayahuasca delivery from Peru without disclosing the true contents, potentially jeopardizing her job with the New York City Police Department.
Text messages exchanged by Adzich, scrutinized by the police, revealed coded language and attempts to acquire ayahuasca without quality testing, suggesting awareness of law enforcement activities. Adzich’s lawyer acknowledged the text messages’ late disclosure due to technical issues but accepted the judge’s critique.
Justice Arnold expressed disappointment in the lawyer’s handling of the disclosure matter, highlighting insufficient efforts to address the USB problem before proceeding with the case. In an interview, Adzich’s lawyer acknowledged the judge’s concerns and reasoning.
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