[passionfruit3]

So i went to a psych hospital and they went through my stuff as usual i had this thing in my purse called a mojo bag its like a wicca thing for good luck and they see yhis bag and its contents are like some leaves and white powder and there like what is this and i told them what it was and the lady was like were gonna test it.so of course i didn't see my stuff the whole time i was there when It was returned to me at the end of my stay stuff was missing from the mojo bag the powder and leaves all i had was a rock and a pentagram. Is this even legal for them to take your stuff and not return it.i would have complained but i knew they probably tossed it or wouldve said it was cocaine so i didn't report it but is this legal?

Sent from my SM-T210R using Tapatalk

[Nammu]

Accually I would complain. Wicca is a religion and they cannot discriminate and confiscat articles associated with it unless they are illegal substances.

[spondiferous]

Yes, i would also complain. As a fellow pagan, i know how important these things can be. A mojo bag has just as much validity as any other religious symbol or object. If it was a matter of discarding it because they didn't know what to do with it after, they should've asked your consent first; if it's a matter of not respecting your spirituality, then they need to be schooled. Sadly, pagan faiths are not exactly respected (or even recognized) most of the time in mainstream culture.

[passionfruit3]

I didn't have it for spiritual reasons but it was important to me cause it was made special for me and i don't know how to get another from this person i will try to make a complaint though

Sent from my SM-T210R using Tapatalk

If they said they were going to test it, sounds like the powder/leaves were removed for testing and never made it back to your belongings. They may be hanging around in the lab somewhere. It might have been all of it was given to the lab, the lab tested it, and it was disposed of, not knowing it was the entire sample. My guess is that is probably what happened.

[Creamsickle]

-
Consider hiring a lawyer. The hospital may deny it and claim you were "sick". How sad this was done to you.

[Nammu]

Had you a small bottle of holy water, even not being a cathic I doubt they would have thrown the water out. If you call California's disability rights office it is possible that they may help. Religious discrimination is a serious offense and they need awareness training.

[amandalouise]

I see that you are in america.. yes here in america powder substances are removed and not returned. its part of the crack down on drugs and terrorisn laws in the USA since 9\11. usually when someone is entering a hospital treatment providers let their clients know you can take clothing, no powders, no sharp objects, no drugs no alcohol....talk with your treatment providers they can help you get a list of whats allowed and what isnt when you are hospitalized.

[(JD)]

Yes it's legal. I'm sorry no one helped you know what to pack and what not to pack.

[ChipperMonkey]

Imho hiring a lawyer is a bit much. I guess this is why America is seen as so sue happy! Geezus, it could have been a damn ACCIDENT but people are so adamant about their rights that a simple accident is a reason to sue.....yeah, you deserve a multi million dollar settlement for suffering. I think it's sad that the level of paranoia in this country is so high.

You said this is not your first time into the hospital and that you knew they would search your belongings, so you probably knew this item would probably not be allowed. Sorry it ended up being confiscated, but as you know, they are very particular about what they allow in. I always err on the side of caution with what I take to the hospital because they generally only accept basic clothing (with lots of restrictions on ties and belts and shoelaces, etc.), a few toiletries (all alcohol-based product are never allowed), and perhaps some books. Other than that, pretty much all else should stay home.

[yagr]

There are some very knowledgeable posters here who have said it is legal to take it, so I am going to disagree with a bit of trepidation - but it is my understanding that in the United States there is a caveat based on religion. Any infringement upon religious freedom is simply one of those libelous acts that even the prison system avoids.

I am Native American and have brought my medicine pouch in to a hospital stay. I allowed them to go through it, without touching - I removed each item, explained its significance, and returned it to the pouch. It probably helped that I had a letter from a friend on his attorney letterhead explaining what it was.

The poster said she didn't have it for spiritual reasons though.

Passion fruit, any powder has to be treated like a biological threat or an addiction threat. So it probably got destroyed being tested, the same with the leaves. Next time you go into a treatment facility, consider what you have on you and best to leave it at home rather than risk it being destroyed by being tested. It is the law, they have the right to do so. It is what it is. Now you know first hand so it won't happen again. tc