Planet Money A trip to the magic mushroom megachurch
327 snips
Jan 24, 2026 
Meet John Rapp, an attorney who defends psychedelic religious groups, and Dave Hodges, pastor of the mushroom-focused Ziedor Church in Oakland. They walk through the church’s rituals, legal strategies for religious exemptions, a dramatic police raid and its fallout, how the organization operates and finances itself, and the broader legal patchwork facing psychedelic faith communities.
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Offer Legal Help To Strengthen Movement
- John often provides pro bono legal help to underfunded psychedelic churches to reduce their prosecution risk.
- He suggests building relationships within the movement to offer mutual legal and operational support.
Weigh Risks Before Seeking Exemption
- Applying for a DEA religious exemption is slow and risky because applicants must pause illegal practices during review.
- John warns denied petitions can give the government detailed evidence for prosecutions, so weigh the trade-offs carefully.
Legal Prep Reduces But Does Not Remove Risk
- Even with legal preparation, counsel can only reduce, not eliminate, risk of prosecution or asset seizure.
- John Rapp stresses clients should expect residual legal exposure despite precautions.
