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Psychedelic Science Summit: Austin, Texas (November 1-3, 2019)
Speakers: Carlos Plazola, M.E.S., Natalie Ginsberg, M.S.W. (Moderator), Betty Aldworth, Sandor Iron Rope, Jax Finkel
What is the role of policy reform in the advancement of psychedelics? In 2019, Denver passed a measure effectively decriminalizing psilocybin and Oakland followed suit by expanding its passing resolution to “decriminalize nature,” including all psychedelic plants and fungi. Many other cities, including Chicago, have quickly been working to replicate their success. Californians are working to see a state-wide referendum to legalize psilocybin, and the people of Oregon will vote on an initiative to create a state-overseen psilocybin therapeutic access program. Psychedelics, like cannabis, enjoy rare nonpartisan support. What unique bipartisan and nonpartisan opportunities does psychedelic policy reform offer? What can we learn from the mistakes of cannabis reform? How can psychedelic policy reform build with those who have been working to end the war on drugs for decades, and elevate those who have been most impacted by psychedelic prohibition - indigenous communities who have been in relation with plant medicine for millennia?
Carlos Plazola, M.E.S., is currently building a financially self-sustaining healing center called The Haven Community, a co-living, co-working consciousness community in Oakland, CA. Carlos has sought the tools to create global change at the local level, organizing with the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, ACORN, and the Southwest Network for Environmental and Economic Justice. Carlos then spent 8 years learning the tools of political organizing, eventually becoming a field director for a mayoral campaign, and chief of staff to the Oakland Council President. His latest efforts since 2006 have been in manifesting creativity through the built environment, becoming a real estate developer, completing over 30 projects, including two mid-rises, and winning three Historic Preservation Awards, while also exploring and advancing methods of sustainable development. Due to the power of this experience, Carlos has become an advocate for the decriminalization of entheogenic plants and fungi in a just and equitable way, ensuring they become accessible to all communities, especially to low-income communities which experience the highest levels of life-inhibiting trauma.
Natalie Lyla Ginsberg, Director of Policy and Advocacy at MAPS, received her B.A. in history from Yale, and her master’s of social work (MSW) from Columbia. Before joining MAPS in 2014, Natalie worked as a Policy Fellow at the Drug Policy Alliance, where she helped legalize medical cannabis in her home state of New York, and worked to end New York’s race-based marijuana arrests. Natalie has also worked as a therapist at an alternative-sentencing court for prostitution and drug-related offenses, and as a middle school guidance counselor. At MAPS, Natalie works to disentangle science from political partisanship on Capitol Hill, at the United Nations, and beyond. She is also co-developing a psychedelic peace-building study with Imperial College, working with Palestinians and Israelis. Natalie is particularly inspired by the potential of psychedelics for healing systemic, intergenerational trauma, for building empathy and community, and for inspiring creative and innovative solutions.
Betty Aldworth is the Executive Director of Students for Sensible Drug Policy where she supports students and young people united to build a more sensible future through drug policies rooted in safety, justice, and education. Since joining the team in 2014, she has led the organization through its most substantial growth period: SSDP’s member base and campuses have doubled, global presence has quadrupled, and as a result the policy change and education efforts members are leading have grown immeasurably.
Sandor Iron Rope is President of the Native American Church of South Dakota and Board of Directors of the Indigenous Peyote Conservation Initiative, and advocates for the indigenous reconnection to spiritual harvest of their medicine.
Jax Finkel is Executive Director for Texas NORML, the Austin Chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), having also served as Volunteer Coordinator, Political / Legislative Director and Deputy Director. She has been involved in cannabis law reform since 2005 and has been an official Board Member since 2006. She believes in freely sharing information and facilitating organizational growth. She works closely with Texans for Responsible Marijuana Policy and the coalition partners along with many other cannabis groups. Jax is often at the Capitol pushing for cannabis law reform and building relationships with our Legislators. Cannabis law reform is her passion.
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