Utah Sanctuaries Sue Over Raids

OG Article By Alixel Cabrera

September 26 2025

Overview

• Sugarleaf Church sues after raids on Utah sanctuaries.

• Raids targeted cannabis, psilocybin, flavored vapes.

• Church claims religious freedom violations.

Background

• Locations: Blackhouse (Sugar House), Salt City Sanctuary (South Salt Lake).

• Context: Utah banned flavored vapes.

• Sanctuaries: Offer cannabis, psilocybin, vapes as sacraments.

• Raids: Conducted in August by Utah law enforcement.

Raid Details

• Tactics: Officers used riot gear, AR-15s, battering rams.

  • Disabled security systems, cameras.

• Seized Items:

  • Salt City Sanctuary: 4.24 kg cannabis flower, 956 pre-rolled joints, 152.5 g psilocybin mushrooms, THC edibles, vapes.

  • Blackhouse: Cannabis, psilocybin products, 3,000+ flavored vape cartridges.

• Arrest: Reverend Joshua Robers charged with felony possession.

Church’s Claims

• Lawsuit: Filed in U.S. District Court, Salt Lake City.

• Demands:

  • Stop interference with religious practices.

  • Return seized “sacramental property.”

  • Mandate religious sensitivity training for police.

• Legal Basis: U.S. Constitution, federal religious freedom laws.

• Precedent: Provo faith group won similar case using 2024 Utah law.

Prosecution’s Response

• Motion to Dismiss: Filed by Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office.

• Argument: Sanctuaries are businesses, not churches.

  • Blackhouse linked to Blackhouse Vapor Company LLC.

• Claim: No religious basis for flavored vapes.

Church Profile

• Sugarleaf Church: Non-denominational, operates in nine states, Mexico.

• Sacraments: Cannabis, psilocybin for structured religious practices.

• Membership: Requires signed code of conduct.

Key Issues

• Conflict: Religious freedom vs. state regulation.

• Allegations: Officers mocked faith, called practices a “loophole.”

• Outcome: Lawsuit seeks to protect sacramental use, challenge raid tactics.