This is really, really disgusting. But so far it has only been passed by the House Judiciary Committee. It would still have to be passed by the full House, by the Senate, and signed by the President before it becomes law.

Here’s a link to the bill:

H.R. 313 - Drug Trafficking Safe Harbor Elimination Act of 2011

Here’s the main section of the Bill:

So what are some of the consequences? If, from within the US, you make plans to attend an ayahuasca retreat in Peru, you could be charged as a co-conspirator under the CSA. Any US citizen who makes plans in the US to go to another country to consume substances that are illegal under the CSA would be considered a co-conspirator in drug trafficking.

As I read it, this law is not limited to US citizens, but includes anyone who is conducting such activities within the US. So a Peruvian citizen who, during a visit to the US, calls home and makes arrangements to participate in an ayahuasca ceremony, could be arrested and charged with a violation of the CSA.

There’s a Huffington Post article that discusses this, and it suggests that US citizens abroad planning activities illegal under the CSA could be charged. This isn’t how I read the Bill. As I read it, the planning must occur “within the United States”.

So if you go to Peru and, while in Peru, make arrangements to attend an ayahuasca ceremony, you wouldn’t be in violation. Regardless, it’s a Bill that seeks to extend the laws of the US worldwide.

Let’s hope that enough of our legislators have the common sense to ensure that it doesn’t pass.

The Bill says that anyone in the US, citizen or not, can be charged with a crime if they make plans (i.e. engage in conspiracy) to engage in activities in foreign countries that would violate the CSA in the US.

Fear not, Tigerstrike. The date has been set forth thanks to the Mayans. That date is 2012....

Unfortunately, people are taking the idea of 2012 and thinking that something is just going to swoop down and make it all better (or worse depending on your viewpoint). This kind of view of entitlement, which is very similar to the Christian belief of rapture and the second coming of Christ, creates an apathetic and disengaged society, which is exactly what the governing powers want. In order for positive changes to take place, people like ourselves are going to have to step up and make them happen. I'm guilty of sitting on the sidelines myself, but I'm still in the midst of my own awakening, and I plan on becoming more of an activist in the months to come.

We have to stop sitting idly, while BS bills like this are being passed.

Just what jurisdiction does the U.S. government have over the actions of a citizen in foreign lands?