This chapter explores the legal battles that led to the recognition of ayahuasca use as a protected religious practice for some churches in the United States. It examines the legal disputes faced by the UDV and a Santo Daime church in Oregon, analyzing the cases that culminated in exemptions under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). The chapter contextualizes these legal struggles within broader religious freedom jurisprudence, discussing landmark cases which influenced the legal framework for defining religious practices. Through the review of legal documents, court decisions, expert testimonies, and interviews, the chapter illuminates the regulatory complexities surrounding ayahuasca in the U.S., outlining the precedents set for religious groups seeking similar protections while raising questions about the broader implications of state intervention in religious practices.