1. Religious Character & Sacramental Nature

1.1 — Bona Fide Religious Sacrament: ACF ceremonies are exclusively religious services conducted pursuant to sincere, constitutionally protected spiritual convictions. The communion brew—prepared from the Banisteriopsis caapi vine and Psychotria viridis leaf—is revered as the “Spirit of the Vine” and serves as our holy sacrament. Our gatherings are not commercial retreats, medical facilities, psychological clinics, or recreational excursions.

1.2 — Federal RFRA Protection: ACF exercises its religious practices under the protections of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (42 U.S.C. § 2000bb et seq.) and landmark judicial precedents (including Gonzales v. O Centro Espírita Beneficente União do Vegetal). Participants acknowledge that the sacramental tea containing naturally occurring harmala alkaloids and N,N-DMT is administered solely for bona fide devotional and pastoral purposes.

1.3 — Covenantal Contributions: All financial contributions given for ceremony attendance represent non-commercial donations to sustain sanctuary facilities, travel accommodations, pastoral staffing, and indigenous reciprocity (ayni). Contributions do not constitute a purchase of commodities, pharmaceuticals, or fee-for-service therapeutic treatments.

2. Membership Standards, Medical Screening & Admission

2.1 — Mandatory Membership: Sacramental participation is restricted exclusively to enrolled members of ACF. Membership is strictly limited to individuals 21 years of age or older. Minors are strictly prohibited from attending or partaking under any circumstances.

2.3 — Absolute Right of Refusal: ACF maintains the sovereign, non-delegable authority to deny membership, revoke registration, or bar ceremonial entry to any individual at any juncture if pastoral staff determine that communion presents a physical, psychological, or energetic hazard to the participant or the circle.

3 & 4. Reservations, Donations & Cancellation Policies

3.1 — Reservation Deposits: When deposit options are extended, all outstanding donation balances must be settled in full not less than 14 days prior to the convocation start date. Registrations within 14 days require immediate full contribution.

4.1 — Participant Cancellation Schedule: Written notification via electronic mail to TWestbrook@ayahuascacommunityfellowship.org is required:

4.2 — Transaction & Third-Party Fees: All processed refunds are subject to a standard 4.8% administrative payment gateway fee. Registrations originated through third-party platforms (e.g., Retreat Guru, BookRetreats) are net of non-recoverable platform commissions (typically 15%), which cannot be refunded by ACF.

4.3 — ACF Rescheduling or Force Majeure: If ACF must cancel or postpone an event due to weather emergencies, facility constraints, natural disasters, or legal advisories, participants will receive a 100% transfer credit or an 85% cash refund (15% retained to cover committed sanctuary leases, supplies, and non-refundable logistics).

4.4 — Travel Disclaimer: ACF assumes no liability for participant travel expenses, including airline tickets, points, hotel bookings, or transit costs. Comprehensive travel insurance with "Cancel For Any Reason" (CFAR) coverage is strongly advised.

5 & 6. Code of Conduct & Controlled Substances Anti-Diversion Protocol

5.1 — Ceremonial Demeanor: Members must adhere strictly to facilitator guidance, remain within designated perimeter boundaries throughout the night, maintain confidentiality regarding others' experiences, and silence all electronic devices. Harassment, sexual misconduct, or disruptive speech results in immediate expulsion without refund.

6.1 — Strict Non-Diversion Mandate: In strict accordance with federal anti-diversion protocols, the sacrament is prepared, stored, secured, and dispensed solely by ordained facilitators. Participants shall never handle, possess, transport, or remove sacrament from the ceremonial maloca.

6.2 — Zero Tolerance for Non-Sanctioned Substances: Any introduction, sale, or trade of recreational drugs, non-prescribed pharmaceuticals, or outside controlled substances on fellowship grounds constitutes a criminal violation, resulting in instant expulsion, permanent membership revocation, and formal reporting to legal authorities.

7. Assumption of Risk, Liability Release & Indemnification

7.1 — Express Assumption of Somatic & Psychological Risks: Communion induces profound altered states, intense introspection, rapid emotional processing, and acute somatic purgation (vomiting, diarrhea, elevated heart rate, ataxia). Participants freely, knowingly, and voluntarily assume full legal responsibility for all physical, psychological, emotional, and environmental risks.

7.2 — Comprehensive Release of Liability: To the fullest extent permitted by law, you knowingly and voluntarily release and forever discharge Ayahuasca Community Fellowship, its Directors, Officers, Ministers, Facilitators, Volunteers, Landowners, and Agents from any and all liability, claims, or demands for personal injury, sickness, psychological distress, property loss, or wrongful death arising out of ceremonial participation, whether caused by ordinary negligence or otherwise.

7.3 — Emergency Medical Consent: If acute medical care is required, participants authorize ACF to coordinate emergency transport and clinical intervention at the participant's sole financial expense.

8, 9 & 10. Privacy, Media & Mandatory Ecclesiastical Arbitration

8.1 — Media & Sanctity: Photography and audio recordings are strictly prohibited during ceremony. Any institutional archival photography requires prior express consent and will strictly protect member identities.

9.1 — Mandatory Ecclesiastical Arbitration: In recognition of scriptural principles and First Amendment church autonomy doctrines, any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of these terms or ceremonial attendance that cannot be resolved through pastoral dialogue shall be submitted to confidential, binding faith-based mediation or ecclesiastical arbitration. The parties expressly waive all rights to trial by jury or class action litigation in secular courts.

10.1 — Severability & Entire Agreement: If any provision of this covenant is held unenforceable, remaining articles retain full legal effect. This agreement represents the entire contractual understanding between the parties.

11. Supporting Botanical Supplies & Non-Controlled Medicines

ACF makes available traditional non-controlled botanical preparations (e.g., Sananga, Bobinsana, Chilcagué, traditional Amazonian herbal snuffs) strictly as educational, ceremonial, and aromatic supplies:

Returns Policy: Because sacred botanicals are perishable and hand-crafted, returns are not accepted, except in verified instances of incorrect order fulfillment documented within 7 calendar days of receipt.