The Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Board (ABCA) upheld the closure of GTDC Church, Inc., which operated as the “Temple of Golden Teacher” at 511 Florida Avenue NW, after finding that the establishment sold psilocybin mushrooms without authorization.
The Board issued a summary closure order on June 30, 2025, citing the church for distributing a Schedule I controlled substance in violation of D.C. law. That decision was challenged by the church, which filed a motion to dismiss the enforcement action. After an Aug. 13 hearing and review of legal filings from both sides, the Board denied the church’s motion and reaffirmed its closure order in a ruling released September 17.
Undercover Buys and Search Warrant
According to testimony from Metropolitan Police Department investigators, undercover officers purchased psilocybin mushrooms at the establishment on June 24 and July 17, 2025. On the first visit, an undercover buyer was asked to sign up for “membership” and then sold 3.5 grams of psilocybin mushrooms for $40. On the second visit, the same buyer purchased another 3.5 grams for $35. Both products tested positive for psilocybin.
Following the second purchase, investigators executed a search warrant and seized more than 5,800 grams of psilocybin products, including mushrooms, edibles, and pills, along with over $5,000 in cash. The search also uncovered a cash register, product displays, and advertisements describing psilocybin as “brain fuel” and promoting microdosing.
Religious Freedom Argument Rejected
In its defense, the Temple of Golden Teacher argued that its distribution of psilocybin was protected under the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), citing spiritual practices involving entheogens. The Board rejected this claim, finding that the church failed to present credible evidence of sincerely held religious beliefs.
“No one in charge of the business or otherwise involved testified affirmatively that any of the texts or documents provided by counsel represented their true and sincere beliefs or provided their history as an adherent to this religion,” the order stated, concluding that the operation resembled a commercial retail business rather than a religious organization.
The Board also noted that RFRA does not shield groups distributing Schedule I substances unless they first obtain exemptions from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) or the courts—something the church had not done.
Initiative 81 Argument Dismissed
The church also sought to rely on Initiative 81, a 2020 voter-approved measure that made enforcement against non-commercial use of entheogenic plants the District’s lowest law enforcement priority. The Board rejected this defense, stressing that the law applies only to non-commercial activities and is nonbinding.
In its final order, the Board determined that the Temple of Golden Teacher posed an “imminent danger” under D.C. law by selling Schedule I substances to the public. The premises will remain closed and padlocked.
The Board left open the possibility of modifying the order if the government, landlord, and respondents file a joint motion guaranteeing the cessation of illegal activity at the property.
