Psychedelic drug derived from a small, spineless cactus Lophophora williamsii of northern Mexico and the southwest USA, known as peyote. The tops (called mescal buttons), which scarcely appear above ground, are dried and chewed, or added to alcoholic drinks. Mescaline is a crystalline alkaloid C11H17NO3. It is used by some North American Indians in religious rites.
Black stands for the African people. White symbolizes peace. Black, red, and green, the ‘black liberation’ colours, denote Africa's rebirth. Red represents the blood common to all people. Green recalls the fertile land. Effective date: 12 December 1963.