Blog
SSDP Has Filed Its Official Comment Opposing the DEA’s Proposed 7-OH Ban — Now We Need Your Voice
Today, Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) officially submitted our public comment opposing the Drug Enforcement Administration's proposal to temporarily place 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) above a specified threshold into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. Our comment reflects decades of evidence, scientific research, and the lived experiences of people whose ...
SSDP & Broad National Coalition Urge Senate Leaders to Advance Comprehensive Cannabis Reform
Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) is proud to join a broad coalition of organizations, led by the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA), urging Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to move forward with comprehensive federal cannabis reform. The coalition's letter, embedded below, calls on Senate ...
Time Is Running Out to Stop the SR-17018 Ban – New Legal Action Filed!
On July 31, the Drug Enforcement Administration is expected to move forward with the emergency scheduling of SR-17018— a promising NIH-funded research compound that scientists have spent years studying as a potential pathway toward safer pain treatment. Today, Students for Sensible Drug Policy is proud to stand alongside the Rights ...
Thousands Mobilize Against DEA’s Proposed 7-OH and SR-17018 Bans as July 31 Deadline Nears
Public opposition to the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) proposed ban on 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), a naturally occurring metabolite of the kratom plant, has already surpassed the historic 2016 campaign that stopped the agency's attempt to ban kratom. Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) has created easy-to-use advocacy tools to help the ...
SSDP Files Request for Extension of 7-OH Comment Period
With the July 31 deadline rapidly approaching, Students for Sensible Drug Policy is urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to extend the public comment period on its proposed emergency scheduling of 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH). Although this proposal could have far-reaching consequences for scientific research, public health, and individual ...
WATCH: Kratom, 7 OH, and Emerging Products: A Science Based Safety Primer
In a collaborative webinar between Students For Sensible Drug Policy & 7-HOPE Alliance, we explore kratom, 7-OH, and other emerging products. Featuring addiction neuroscientist Dr. Michele Ross and moderated by SSDP’s Finnegan McGuinness, this session breaks down what we know—and don’t know—about safety, drug interactions, and key warning signs. Whether ...
WATCH: The Next Front in the War on Drugs: Can We Stop Another Prohibition?
This powerful conversation from Healthy America 2026 explores the proposed federal bans on 7-OH and SR-17018, the science behind these compounds, and the potential consequences for research, pain treatment, public health, and individual freedom. Panelists discuss why they believe prohibition is the wrong approach — and what citizens can do ...
Drug Policy Is Climate Policy: Toward Ecological Harm Reduction
The United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) is the central drug policy-making body within the United Nations system. During the 69th Session (March 9 to 13, 2026), SSDP was able to bring several young people to Vienna, Austria to make their voices heard. In this installment of a blog series capturing ...
Reflections on the 69th Session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs: Brooke Shockey Sanders
The United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) is the central drug policy-making body within the United Nations system. During the 69th Session (March 9 to 13, 2026), SSDP was able to bring several young people to Vienna, Austria to make their voices heard. In this installment of a blog ...
One Year After the HALT Fentanyl Act, Scientists Are Still Waiting for Promised Research Access. SSDP Releases Roadmap to Reduce Research Harms.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Kat Murti Executive Director Students for Sensible Drug Policy kat@ssdp.org One Year After the HALT Fentanyl Act, Scientists Are Still Waiting for Promised Research Access. SSDP Releases Roadmap to Reduce Research Harms. A new policy paper written by members of SSDP’s Science Policy Committee outlines recommendations ...
🚨 ACTION ALERT🚨 Help SSDP stop the criminalization of SR-17018!
On July 1st, 2026, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) published a temporary order to place 5,6-dichloro desmethylchlorphine or SR-17018 into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). SR-17018 was developed by researchers studying opioid receptor signaling as part of an effort to separate pain relief from respiratory depression, tolerance, ...
DEA’s Holiday Weekend Emergency Scheduling Order Pushes Criminalization Over Harm Reduction and Risks Slowing Development of Safer Pain Medicines and Addiction Treatments
DEA's Holiday Weekend Emergency Scheduling Order Pushes Criminalization Over Harm Reduction and Risks Slowing Development of Safer Pain Medicines and Addiction Treatments FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Kat Murti Executive Director Students for Sensible Drug Policy kat@ssdp.org DEA's Holiday Weekend Emergency Scheduling Order Pushes Criminalization Over Harm Reduction and Risks Slowing ...
Help SSDP Get Our Comms on Track!
Want to see more news, updates, and opportunities from SSDP? We're looking for volunteers to help us get our comms back on track! There are currently four open volunteer positions. Time commitment varies for each but all will need to be able to join weekly meetings (time/date TBD). Email alaina.jaster@board.ssdp.org ...
Before the DEA Decides Cannabis’ Future, Those Harmed by Prohibition But Denied Participation Will Share Their Stories in a Press Conference in front of the Courthouse
Before the DEA Decides Cannabis' Future, Those Harmed by Prohibition But Denied Participation Will Share Their Stories in a Press Conference in front of the Courthouse FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Kat Murti Executive Director Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) kat@ssdp.org Before the DEA Decides Cannabis' Future, Those Harmed by ...
SSDP Appeals DEA Denial to Participate in Upcoming Rescheduling Hearing
On June 17th, the DEA denied SSDP's request to participate in the upcoming marijuana rescheduling hearing, choosing instead to platform only pro-drug war voices. Today, with the help of our friends at the Rights & Reason Project, we pushed back on that decision with another legal filing: SSDP_Request_for_Reconsideration_DEA-1362_June_2026 (1)Download ...
SSDP & The Shulgin Foundation Present: Ensuring the Future of Psychedelic Science
Wednesday, August 12, 2026 @ 4:30 PM PST A discussion between Gül Dölen, MD, PhD. and Hamilton Morris about the current state of psychedelic research and the enduring legacy of Sasha and Ann Shulgin. Dr. Gül Dölen is a Professor and the Renee and Bob Parsons Endowed chair in the ...
DEA DENIES SSDP Right to Participate in Rescheduling Hearing
On May 24th, SSDP filed a legal intent to participate in the upcoming DEA ALJ hearing on marijuana rescheduling. We sought participation because SSDPers represent virtually every community affected by federal cannabis policy: students pursuing degrees in cannabis science and business, researchers whose work has been obstructed by Schedule I, ...
Statement of Opposition to California’s Kratom Bill A.B. 1088
This official statement outlines Students for Sensible Drug Policy's opposition to California's Assembly Bill 1088, which aims to severely restrict products containing 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), a naturally occurring alkaloid in the kratom plant. Prepared by neuroscience researcher and SSDP staff member Brooke Sanders, the document argues that the legislation lacks scientific ...
Volunteer for FREE Ticket to Lion’s Heart Music Festival!
SSDP is looking for Volunteers on June 27th, 2026, for Lion Heart Music Festival in Coatesville, PA. Attendance for the festival is FREE! We are seeking support with our SSDP booth. Use the sign-up form below to express your interest! Our events committee will be in touch with the next ...
SAMHSA “Dear Colleague” Letters: Policy Shift Threatens Evidence-Based Drug Policy
This blog post is a collaborative effort written by members of SSDP's Science Policy and Harm Reduction Committees. For years, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has played a major role in the nationwide effort to reduce overdose deaths. Through block grants, prevention funding, recovery programs, naloxone ...
We do this work because the war on drugs is a war on us.