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Drug Epidemics, Psychedelics, and Possible Happy Futures: a Conversation with William Leonard Pickard
In this episode I host William Leonard Pickard for a discussion of drug epidemics and how the recent re-popularization of psychedelics may manifest – for better or for worse – as corporate interests manufacture new analogs and as rates of use increase generally. Leonard is a former drug policy researcher who studied at the Kennedy[…]
Legalizing Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy: Insider Tips from the Oregon Campaign
I’m very happy to present a conversation with Sam Chapman, the Campaign Director of the “Yes on Measure 109” campaign, and Dave Kopilak, Esq., the primary drafter of the initiative that became Oregon Measure 109, for a discussion of how the campaign to legalize psilocybin-assisted therapy was conducted, the elements of the bill, and what[…]
Does the Failure of Prohibition Mean that We Succeed?
The absence, over the last almost two years of media reporting, of prohibitionist opposition to the national psychedelic decriminalization movement similar to the anti-cannabis movement has been a mystery.[…]
New York State Legislative Reform Advocacy
We are in a severe mental health crisis. The current treatment options are not enough. We need alternatives. Our mission is to educate the public and policymakers about reasons to end the prohibition of psychedelic substances; to end penalties for use, possession, and non-commercial cultivation of naturally-occurring psychedelic substances by adults; to provide New Yorkers with legal access to psychedelic substances for mental health and well-being.[…]
Mushrooms and Other Psychedelic Plants Decriminalized in Denver and Oakland
I joined the drug policy reform movement in 1993 specifically with the goal of legalizing psychedelics, so I was glad to hear from Matthews. From May to September, we worked on an initiative in collaboration with Colorado attorneys and policy experts that could pass the Board of Elections’ requirements. In October, the board certified the language. Matthews’ team, the Decriminalize Denver campaign, went out into the Denver winter to collect the signatures necessary (4,726) to get the initiative on the ballot, which were approved in January.[…]
Everyone Is Really Confused About What Decriminalizing Shrooms Actually Means
The win also maybe, possibly, clears the way for people to grow shrooms without concern for legal repercussions, but only for their own personal use (and possibly private sharing with friends). “One of the more innovative aspects of this [initiative] is at the point where the supply equals the demand. [When] the consumer is also the producer—that form of production here is also decriminalized,” said Noah Potter, a lawyer who helped craft the ballot measure’s language.[…]
