As a state parole officer, you staunchly support your state’sdrug control laws. Any parolees on your caseload that test positivefor any controlled dangerous substance are promptly taken intocustody and set for a parole revocation hearing. Harold RunningBull, a Native American, has recently been assigned to you. Hisfirst urine sample tests positive for the presence of thehallucinogen peyote. You call the authorities to have Running Bullarrested when he reports to your office. Running Bull states thathe uses peyote only as part of his religious ceremonies. Answer thefollowing questions:
- How would you go about investigating Running Bull’s claim thathis positive drug test was a result of religious peyote use?
- If Running Bull’s statement is true, is his use of peyote forreligious purposes exempt from the consequences of a positive drugtest under the law?
- What are the implications of this case for religiousfreedom?
