A 52-year-old man from Nova Scotia, who was charged with drug-related offenses connected to spiritual rituals he conducted at his rural residence using a hallucinogenic potion 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 adheres to a three-year probation order.
Arnold emphasized that the probation conditions, along with various factors in the case, would not compromise public confidence in the enforcement of criminal law by granting a conditional discharge to Adzich. Following the sentencing hearing in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, a group of Adzich’s supporters cheered and applauded his emergence from the courtroom, where he expressed gratitude to them.
Adzich was arrested after a police operation during an ayahuasca ceremony at his yurt near Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, in November 2022. Advocates of Adzich and his practices claim that these ceremonies can be transformative, promoting well-being and aiding individuals in coping with trauma.
Initially, Adzich contested the charges, citing infringement of his religious rights. However, he pleaded guilty in May to importing and possessing DMT for trafficking purposes, a substance prohibited in Canada but a key component of ayahuasca. The prosecution raised concerns about the potential dangers of ayahuasca, particularly for individuals with heart conditions, while the defense argued that Adzich conducted ceremonies with participant screening and safety measures.
As part of his probation, Adzich must complete 200 hours of community service, maintain good behavior, and refrain from possessing or consuming DMT and two other substances in Canada. Adzich’s lawyer, Asaf Rashid, highlighted the significance of the conditional discharge for his client, as a criminal record could impede his travel plans, particularly to Peru for ayahuasca ceremonies.
While groups in Canada can seek exemptions for using ayahuasca for religious purposes, Arnold noted in his ruling that Adzich did not pursue such an avenue. Character references from friends and supporters portrayed Adzich as genuine, compassionate, and spiritual, according to Arnold.
During the sentencing process, the prosecution sought to challenge the perception of Adzich’s integrity, highlighting his clandestine efforts to import ayahuasca. Arnold criticized Adzich for his deceptive actions, including involving a former girlfriend in New York City, who unknowingly accepted an ayahuasca package, potentially jeopardizing her job with the New York City Police Department.
Text messages exchanged by Adzich, which were scrutinized by authorities, revealed coded language and attempts to acquire untested ayahuasca, along with knowledge of police seizures. Despite some procedural issues regarding the disclosure of evidence, Rashid acknowledged the judge’s concerns and accepted them.
In conclusion, the conditional discharge granted to Adzich by Justice Arnold underscores the complex legal and ethical considerations surrounding the use of psychedelic substances in spiritual practices.