gina vensel
THC ban may impact product access – The University Star
The University of Texas college newspaper, The University Star, featured an article today highlighting the potential THC ban in Texas and it’s impact on the community. SSDP Ambassador, Blake Coe, was quoted in the article. Ambassador of Students for Sensible Drug Policy Blake Coe said the ban is not a solution, but a reinstatement of past problems. “That [ban] doesn’t
Marijuana Moment Newsletter January 14, 2025
Thanks to Marijuana Moment for linking to our post-trial DOI & DOC brief in this week’s newsletter. Students for Sensible Drug Policy filed a post-trial brief in a Drug Enforcement Administration administrative court case concerning the agency’s proposed ban on two psychedelics. Learn more here.
Fight for your right to research – Boulder Weekly
Gina Giorgio, Director of Strategy and Development at Students for Sensible Drug Policy, wrote an op-ed in Boulder Weekly discussing our historic court case with the DEA defending the scheduling status of niche research chemicals DOI & DOC to protect psychedelic research. “None of us were experts on administrative hearings, we were just a couple of passionate scientists who wanted
Pitt installs overdose reversal drug dispensers after decade-long push – The Pitt News
The Pitt News reports that after a decade-long push, the University of Pittsburgh has installed overdose reversal drug dispensers. Thanks to the help of Julia Hilbert, MWS, founder of SSDP’s Pittsburgh Community Chapter. “This represents probably the longest game win that I’ve been a part of in drug policies,” Hilbert said. The Allegheny County Health Department will provide and replenish
APPLY TO BECOME A STUDENT CANDIDATE FOR SSDP’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ANNOUNCING SSDP CONGRESSIONAL SESSION In 2025, the SSDP Congress will convene from March 7th – 8th, 2025, and provide each chapter in the network the opportunity to elect new student members to the Board of Directors. We strongly encourage all who believe they can commit to apply. Serving on the Board of Directors of SSDP is an invaluable, incredibly rewarding
SSDP Science Policy Committee Meeting Info & 2025 Interest Form
The Science Policy Committee (SPC) was founded in 2020 by now Drs. Elijah Z. Ullman and Lindsey K. Galbo-Thomma. As scientists studying the pharmacology of psychoactive drugs, they created the SPC to advocate and advance sensible drug policies that align with scientific data. This committee is co-led by scientists at the graduate and post-doctoral levels and ensures a collaborative effort
5 New Year Resolutions to End the War on Drugs
Getting involved with SSDP is a fantastic New Year resolution! Below are our top 5 New Year’s Resolutions to end the War on Drugs. To get involved with SSDP in 2025, please use this form, and learn more about our chapters here. SSDP is updating and modernizing our Just Say Know (JSK) drug education program, first launched in 2016, providing
How to Engage with Just Say Know, SSDP’s Drug Education Curriculum
This new year, start an effective campaign with your chapter or community by engaging with our new Just Say Know drug education program! We’re looking for feedback and we need your help spreading our mission and building the future of drug education. Here are some ways you can help kick off JSK while building valuable skills and programs. Tabling Set
BREAKING: Nonprofit Representing Psychedelic Researchers Files Post-Trial Brief Following Historic Hearing
Contact: Gina Giorgio Director of Strategy and Development Students for Sensible Drug Policy gina@ssdp.org BREAKING: NONPROFIT REPRESENTING PSYCHEDELIC RESEARCHERS FILES POST-TRIAL BRIEF FOLLOWING HISTORIC HEARING TO KEEP SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH LEGAL Setting a Powerful Precedent: Research Harm Takes Center Stage for the First Time in DEA Scheduling Case [Arlington, VA, January 6th, 2025] – Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) has filed its post-trial brief
HB727 Community Mixer with Representative John Autry
Curious what psychedelic research and advocacy is happening in the state of North Carolina? Want to learn about what’s coming up this Spring in the new legislative session, and how you can help support it? Join North Carolina Psychedelic Policy Coalition, a project of SSDP, for a Community Mixer with Representative John Autry and other sponsors of HB727, called the
Join Our Movement: How to Get Involved with SSDP
Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) is the largest national youth-led network dedicated to ending the War on Drugs. Whether you’re a student, alumnus, or concerned community member, there are multiple pathways to join our mission and make a tangible impact. 1. Start or Join a Campus Chapter If you’re a high school, college, or university student, consider establishing an
Take Our “Just Say Know” Development Survey
Far too often, young people in the U.S. lack access to drug education that empowers them to make safe, informed, and healthy choices. Factors like abstinence-only school policies, misinformation, and stigma have hindered open and honest conversations about these important topics. SSDP is committed to changing that. Our Drug Education Committee is hard at work revamping our Just Say Know
The War on Drugs: The DEA’s Attempt to Schedule DOI & DOC and the Fight for Sensible Policy – Psychedelics Today
We are grateful to Psychedelics Today for showcasing SSDP’s work in this fantastic podcast episode where host Joe Moore interviews Kat Murti, Executive Director of SSDP, the largest nationwide network of students fighting to replace the War on Drugs with policies rooted in evidence, compassion, and human rights. Tune in here or wherever you get your podcasts.
Thousands Pardoned For Federal Marijuana Offenses Would Have Their Records Expunged Under New Bipartisan Bill – Marijuana Moment
The time for cannabis policy reform is now, and Marijuana Moment covered details on the bipartisan bill to provide for the expungement of records for people who’ve received presidential pardons, including non-violent marijuana offenses. The article states that the Weldon Angelos Presidential Pardon Expungements Act would require the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, within one year of enactment,
There is one Narcan Vending Machine, at a Fire Station in South Minneapolis – Southside Pride
Southside Pride, is a free monthly newspaper publishing community news, religious events and a community calendar for Southside Communities of Minneapolis, Minnesota. We are grateful to get included in their article concerning their narcan vending machine at the Fire Station. Yet putting Narcan in schools in Minnesota has taken off in 2023, and more and more organizations have supported the
Dems Call on Biden to Limit Weed Prosecutions Before Trump Takes Over – Rolling Stone
It was incredible to see a photo of our SSDP team from our cannabis legalization rally back in October 2022 in front of the White House featured in Rolling Stone! A coalition of Democratic senators and representatives is calling on the Biden administration to finalize its plans to limit marijuana prosecutions at the federal level before he leaves office. Read the article
Interviews: Meet the Team Who Challenged the DEA on DOI and DOC – Psychedelic Alpha
We are grateful to Psychedelic Alpha for this comprehensive overview of the people behind our effort to challenge the DEA on two psychedelic research chemicals – DOI & DOC. The team can only remain optimistic that the evidence presented was enough to tilt the scale in favor of SSDP/Ramos, and if nothing else that those watching and reading about this
DEA concludes hearing on 2 psychedelic research compounds – The Microdose
Thank you to The Microdose, an independent journalism newsletter brought to you by the U.C. Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics for covering SSDP’s historic ten-day court hearing with the DEA fighting to keep psychedelic research chemicals DOI & DOC legal. Read the article here.
A Psychedelic Ban Would Disrupt Important Research – Reason
We are grateful for Reason for shining light on our court case with the DEA, fighting to keep DOI & DOC, two psychedelic research chemicals from becoming Schedule I drugs. SSDP describes the two compounds as “essential research chemicals in pre-clinical psychiatry and neurobiology,” noting that their unscheduled status has made them accessible as tools for studying serotonin receptors. It says DOI,
National Day of Action: Urge President Biden to Grant Cannabis Clemency Today – Stupiddope
Thank you for Stupiddope for sharing our advocacy alert to call the White House today for National Day of Action for Cannabis Clemency. Read the article here.
Call President Biden TODAY for the National Day of Action for Cannabis Clemency
Join SSDP and other cannabis justice advocates in urging President Biden to use his clemency power to release every last federal cannabis prisoner before the end of this term. Today, November 18, 2024, is the National Day of Action for Cannabis Clemency. Time is running out to turn words into action. We encourage you to use your voice and call
The Impact of Cannabis Activism on Drug Policy Reform – Nug Magazine
Thanks to Nug Magazine for including SSDP as a leader in cannabis policy reform. Today, the landscape of cannabis activism is diverse, encompassing various organizations and advocacy groups focused on reforming cannabis laws. Organizations like the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), and Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) have worked tirelessly
Dispatch From the DEA: DOI and DOC on Trial As Scientists Challenge Psychedelic Scheduling Bid – Psychedelic Alpha
We are grateful to investigative journalist Jack Gorsline on behalf of Psychedelic Alpha for joining SSDP in court with the DEA to dig into the SSDP’s trail with the DEA. Reflecting on events thus far, SSDP/Ramos co-counsel Phelps seemed confident. “I think it went as well as we could have hoped”, he said, adding that he thinks his side’s evidence
Psychonaut POV: Q&A with Kat Murti, Activist & Director – Tricycle Day
Tricycle Day ,a leading psychedelic newsletter, featured SSDP’s Executive Director Kat Murti in their November 17, 2024 edition. We spoke to Kat about why students are the ideal people to fight the War on Drugs, how SSDP is challenging the DEA right now, and what anyone can do to support sensible psychedelic policy. Read the Q&A with Kat here.
Axel Returns for Part 2 of His Story! – Church & Other Drugs
SSDP Board Member, Axel Bilbao, returns to the Church & Other Drugs podcast for Part 2 of his story. Tune into the podcast here.
