CHURCH OF THE MUSHROOM
MEMBERSHIP AGREEMENT
This Membership Agreement (the “Agreement”) is entered into by and between Church of the Mushroom, an Oregon non-profit religious corporation (the “Church”), and [NAME] (the “Member”), effective as of the date of execution (the “Effective Date”).
WHEREAS, the Church is religious community that supports the responsible use of Psychedelic Substances to facilitate connection with one’s Higher Self;
WHEREAS, the Church does not distribute Psychedelic Substances to Members but provides support and other resources for Members;
WHEREAS, the Church community and activities occur primarily on the Church’s online platform; and
WHEREAS, the Member desires to join the Church and participate in its activities, including accessing the Church’s online platform;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
DEFINITIONS
1.1. “Church” shall mean Church of the Mushroom, an Oregon religious nonprofit corporation.
1.2. “Member” shall mean an individual who meets the eligibility requirements of paragraph 2.1, has been accepted into membership by the Church, and has agreed to be bound by the terms of this Agreement.
1.3. “Member Content” shall mean any text, images, videos, audio recordings, or other materials uploaded, posted, or otherwise contributed by a Member to the Website or any Church-affiliated platform.
1.4. “Psychedelic Substances” shall mean natural or synthetic substances, including psilocybin, mescaline, ketamine, LSD, DMT, MDA, or MDMA, that occasion non-ordinary states of consciousness for religious, spiritual, and/or personal development purposes.
1.5. “Website” shall mean the Church’s online platform located at www.churchofthemushroom.org, which provides information, resources, and a community forum for Members.
MEMBERSHIP
2.1. ELIGIBILITY. Individuals who are at least 21 years of age, share the Church’s Core Tenets, and agree to abide by the terms of this Agreement are eligible to apply for membership.
2.2. MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION. Prospective members must complete and submit the Church’s membership application, which includes an agreement to the terms of this Agreement. The Church reserves the right to accept or reject any membership application in its sole discretion.
2.3. MEMBERSHIP RIGHTS. Members in good standing shall have the right to:
- Participate in Church events and activities, subject to any additional terms or requirements specific to such events or activities;
- Access the Members-only pages and forums of the Website;
- Contribute Member Content, subject to the terms of this Agreement;
- Receive communications and updates from the Church; and
- Such other rights, as may be determined by the Church from time to time.
2.5. MEMBERSHIP OBLIGATIONS. The Member agrees to:
- Abide by the terms of this Agreement and any other rules or policies established by the Church;
- Use, possess, manufacture, or transfer Psychedelic Substances only as part of sincere religious practice and in accordance with applicable laws;
- Ensure that the Member’s use of Psychedelic Substances is conducted in a safe, responsible, and intentional manner;
- Respect the beliefs, practices, and rights of other Members and the Church;
- Refrain from insulting, disrespectful, or degrading speech and conduct;
- Treat information shared within the Church community with appropriate sensitivity;
- Use the Website and participate in Church activities in a manner consistent with the Church’s mission and values; and
- Promptly update the Church regarding any changes to their contact information or eligibility status.
2.6. TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP.
- By the Church: The Church reserves the right to terminate the Member’s membership for any reason, with or without cause, upon written notice to the Member. Grounds for termination may include, but are not limited to, violation of this Agreement, engaging in illegal activities, or conduct that is harmful to the Church or its Members.
- By the Member: The Member may voluntarily terminate their membership at any time by providing written notice to the Church.
- Effect of Termination: Upon termination of membership, whether by the Church or the Member, all rights and privileges associated with membership shall immediately cease. The Member shall remain bound by any surviving obligations under this Agreement.
2.7. NO ILLEGAL SOURCING OF PSYCHEDELIC SUBSTANCES. The Website is intended to be a community resource for information and support in Members’ religious and spiritual growth. Use of the Website to make arrangements for the illegal buying, selling, or other sourcing or transfer of Psychedelic Substances is strictly prohibited and shall be grounds for immediate termination of membership.
COPYRIGHT AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
3.1. CHURCH’S RIGHTS. By submitting the Member Content to the Website or any other Church-affiliated platform, the Member grants the Church a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, and fully sublicensable license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from, distribute, perform, and display such Member Content in any media or format, whether now known or hereafter developed, for any purpose in connection with the operation, promotion, and activities of the Church.
3.2. MEMBERSHIP REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The Member represents and warrants that:
- They are the sole owner of the Member Content or have obtained all necessary rights, licenses, consents, and permissions to grant the license described in Section 4.1;
- The Member Content does not infringe upon the intellectual property rights, privacy rights, publicity rights, or other legal rights of any third party;
- The Member Content does not contain any defamatory, libelous, offensive, or otherwise unlawful material; and
- The use and publication of the Member Content will not violate any applicable laws or regulations.
3.3. REMOVAL OF MEMBER CONTENT. The Church reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to remove, edit, or disable access to any Member Content that the Church believes violates this Agreement, infringes upon intellectual property rights, or may cause harm to the Church, its members, or any third party. The Church shall have no obligation to provide notice or explanation for such removal or disabling of access.
3.4. RETENTION OF RIGHTS. Except for the license granted herein, Member retains all rights, title, and interest in and to their Member Content.
DISCLAIMERS
4.1. PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH RISKS. The use of Psychedelic Substances carries numerous physical and mental health risks. The risks include nausea, headache, fatigue, anxiety, confusion, increased blood pressure, elevated heart rate, paranoia, acute or chronic perceptual changes, personality changes, changes in metaphysical beliefs, altered thought patterns, reduced inhibitions, the recovery of repressed memories and past traumatic experiences, altered perception of time and one’s surroundings, and increased vulnerability to sexual, emotional, physical, financial, or other abuse. Other risks include: short-term or prolonged psychosis; mania; dissociation; self-harm; erratic behaviors; allergic reactions; and cardiac problems. Psychedelic Substances may also have adverse interactions with prescription or other medications. Some drug interactions, including lithium, can be fatal. This list of risks is not exhaustive. The Church strongly recommends seeking medical advice from a qualified licensed professional before consuming Psychedelic Substances and as needed.
4.2. LEGAL RISKS. The religious use of Psychedelic Substances is widely misunderstood and stigmatized, including by people within the legal and criminal justice systems. The possession, use, manufacture, or transfer of Psychedelic Substances carries significant legal risks, even in the context of sincere religious practice. The risks may result in the initiation of, or adverse impacts on, legal proceedings, including civil, criminal, domestic relations, employment, professional licensure, eviction, foreclosure, public benefits, probation, or immigration proceedings. This list is not exhaustive. Because the Church does not distribute Psychedelic Substances or supervise their use, the Church strongly recommends seeking independent legal advice concerning the legal risks of the Member’s own practices.
4.3. NO MEDICAL, MENTAL HEALTH, OR LEGAL ADVICE. The Member expressly acknowledges that information obtained from the Church or through its Website or this Agreement is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, mental health, or legal advice. If the Member seeks medical, mental health, or legal advice, the Member acknowledges it is their responsibility to seek such advice from a qualified licensed professional.
4.4. ACCURACY NOT GUARANTEED. Member Content is generated from Members with wide-ranging backgrounds, life experiences, training, and education. Although efforts are made to remove inaccurate and misleading information, the Church cannot warrant or guarantee that Member Content is accurate or not misleading. Members agree to utilize caution and exercise independent judgment when evaluating and before relying on Member Content.
4.5. NO CONFIDENTIALITY. Some parts of the Website are viewable to the public and others are intended to be viewed only by Members. As a community forum, information shared on Website or through the Church may not be confidential. The Church does not run background checks or engage in other vetting of its members. Members are responsible for exercising independent judgment in deciding what information to share and with whom. The Church may be required to share Member information pursuant to a court order or other legal requirement.
4.6. ILLEGAL ACTIVITY. The Church does not support or encourage any illegal activity of any kind, including without limitation the use, possession, manufacture, or transfer of Psychedelic Substances outside of sincere religious contexts.
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
5.1. INDEMNIFICATION. The Member agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Church and its officers, agents, assigns, employees, and successors from and against any and all Claims, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs, arising out of or related to:
- The Member’s actions or omissions in connection with their membership and participation in Church activities;
- The Member’s violation of this Agreement or any applicable laws or regulations; or
- The Member’s use of the Website or any Church-affiliated platforms.
5.2 NOTICE. Where this Agreement requires written notice, notice shall be given to the Member by emailing the Member at the email address on file with the Church. Written notice to the Church shall be given by emailing support@churchofthemushroom.org.
5.3. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Agreement is found to be unenforceable, the enforceability of all other provisions shall not be impaired. Similarly, if any portion of any provision is found to be unenforceable, the enforceability of the remainder of the provision and the other provisions of this Agreement shall not be impaired.
5.4. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Oregon without giving effect to any conflict-of-law or choice-of-law provision that could result in the application of the laws of any other state.
5.5. VENUE. Any action, suit, or proceeding to interpret, enforce, or revoke this agreement shall be in Lane County, Oregon.
5.6. ARBITRATION. Any controversy arising out of the subject of this agreement shall be settled by arbitration, except that a party may file in court to compel arbitration or seek interim relief or provisional remedies pending the arbitrator’s resolution of the controversy or to enforce the arbitrator’s award. The parties shall agree on an arbitrator or, if agreement cannot be reached, each party shall choose one Oregon-based arbitrator and the two arbitrators shall choose a third person to serve as arbitrator in the proceedings. The arbitrator’s decision shall be binding on the parties.
5.7. ATTORNEY FEES. If a party brings an action to interpret, enforce, or revoke this Agreement, the prevailing party will be entitled to recover its reasonable attorney fees and all reasonable costs and expenses incurred in connection with the action, including on appeal.
5.8. AMENDMENT. This Agreement may be amended only in a writing signed by the parties.
5.9. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement, the Membership Level Election Form, and the Liability Waiver and Release contain the entire agreement between the Church and the Member. Any prior or contemporaneous agreements or negotiations between the parties shall be superseded by this Agreement, the Membership Level Election Form, and the Liability Waiver and Release.
5.10. CAPACITY AND VOLUNTARY AGREEMENT. By signing this release, you affirm that you are at least 21 years of age, of sound mind, and have the capacity to understand and enter into this contractual Release. You further attest that you are signing this Release of your own free will and volition, without any duress, undue influence, or coercion from any source.
I HAVE READ THIS AGREEMENT IN ITS ENTIRETY. I UNDERSTAND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS CONTAIN HEREIN AND HAVE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONSULT WITH MY OWN LEGAL COUNSEL PRIOR TO SIGNING.