gina vensel
Students Challenge DEA’s Move to Restrict Crucial Psychedelic Research Tools – Shroomer
Thanks to Shroomer for placing SSDP’s work to stand against the scheduling of DOI & DOC. “DOI and DOC are two crucial medical tools that have been used safely in laboratories for decades. Together, they have featured in more than 900 research articles and show promise for pain management, combatting anxiety and depression, preventing overdose, and treating substance abuse disorder,”
Apply to Join our 2025 Board of Directors
Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) is governed by a Board of Directors, which is comprised of both current student and youth Elected Directors, who are active chapter members elected by our membership, and Appointed Directors, who are appointed by the existing Board. Together, they are responsible for crafting strategy for the organization, overseeing compliance and financial affairs, and overseeing
SSDP Kicks off DEA Court Hearing with Press Conference in Arlington, Virginia
This morning in front of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, SSDP’s Science Policy Committee, a group of PhD students and other researchers who are fighting back against the War on Drugs, along with SSDP’s legal team spoke about our unprecedented court hearing kicking off today and running through November 25. You can watch the press conference
Learn Why SSDP Is Taking the DEA to Court to Protect Psychedelic Research (VIDEO)
The DEA wants to add two important research chemicals—2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI) and 2,5-dimethoxy-4-chloroamphetamine (DOC)—to Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, despite decades of safe usage in labs and no history of abuse. DOI and DOC’s current status as unscheduled compounds has made them de facto tools for researchers studying serotonin receptors. They have featured in more than 900 research articles
Why is the DEA trying to ban these research chemicals? – Boulder Weekly
Thanks to Boulder Weekly for sharing news about our upcoming ten day hearing with the DEA to keep psychedelic research chemicals DOI & DOC legal. DOI and DOC have been used to help study anxiety, depression, substance use disorder and more. The drugs have been cited in more than 900 published studies, according to Murti. In July, SSDP and others sued to
Empowering students to make informed decisions: Students for Sensible Drug Policy – The Lutrinae
Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) at Cal State Monterey Bay (CSUMB), led by Maria Fernanda Corral Cervantes was featured in The Lutrinae. For Cervantes, fostering a culture of harm reduction on campus means more than just providing resources–it’s about creating a space where students can discuss their experiences openly. “It’s important for students to have a place to talk
Where Some See Taboos, They See Opportunity – The New York Times
SSDP’s partnership with Overdrive Defense gets mention in The New York Times. Read the article here.
Breaking Boundaries: Psychedelics, Drug Policy, and the Science of Healing – Vibe Science
Vibe Science hosts Ryan Alford and Chris Hansen bring listeners on a journey through the evolving world of drug policy. Thank you for inviting SSDP’s Kat Murti and Gina Giorgio onto the podcast to discuss psychedelics, drug policy, and the science of healing. Watch the episode here.
With mental health concerns on the rise, psychedelic drugs may be the answer – Boston University News Service
Thank you for the Boston University News Service for their article discussing Question 4 on the Massachusetts ballot. Read the article here. “Typically, the way we approach mental healthcare is through a long path of seeing a therapist for potentially years,” said Gina Giorgio, Director of Strategy for Students for Sensible Drug Policy. “Psychedelic therapists say that treatment may only
Six tips from the Students for Sensible Drug Policy to stay safe during Halloween – The Lutrinae
Thanks to The Lutrinae, the student-run newspaper covering California State University, Monterey Bay, for posting their article, “Six tips from the Students for Sensible Drug Policy to stay safe during Halloween.“ “While college students may be past their candy-collecting days, unfamiliar substances, chaotic environments and inexperience mean #Halloween can still be as risky as any horror story according to the
Reimagining the Drug War Amid Rising Coca Cultivation in Central America – Podcast
We are thankful to NASA’s Land-Cover and Land-Use Change (LCLUC) Program for mentioning SSDP on their podcast. Listen to the podcast here.
SSDP Community Hangouts are Open to All
Community matters at SSDP, and that is why we are hosting monthly “SSDP Hangouts” for the SSDP family to get together to share upcoming projects, seek advice, and meet like-minded leaders. What to expect at a SSDP virtual hangout: Join us on zoom on November 3 at 6:00 PM ET for our next SSDP Hangout. Bring your ideas, a helpful
Psychedelics on the Ballot in Massachusetts – Lucid News
Thank you to Lucid News for sharing information about the importance of Question 4 on the ballot in Massachusetts. SSDP’s Campaign Educators have been all over the state urging the community to register to vote, and sharing important info on what this measure means for psychedelic policy in the state. Law Enforcement Action Partnership, veterans groups including Disabled American Veterans
Documentary screening, Q&A to highlight Question 4 – Greenfield Recorder
Local advocacy groups including SSDP will host an informal reception at the Garden Cinemas on Sunday, Nov. 3, at 4:30 p.m., to discuss Yes on 4 followed by a screening of the feature-length documentary “Music for Mushrooms.” Thanks to the Recorder for mentioning SSDP in the Weekly Recorder. Read more here.
Axel Bilbao Talks About Being a Harm-Reductionist Junkie! Part 1 – Church & Other Drugs
We are impressed by our Board Member, Axel Bilbao, for his honest and authentic sharing of his personal journey on the Church & Other Drugs podcast. Tune into Episode 1 of Axel’s featured podcast appearances here.
Countdown For Cannabis Clemency
Two years ago today, SSDP and Last Prisoner Project joined forces to mobilize a rally in Washington D.C. for cannabis justice. Our goal then (and now) is to keep reminding the President of his campaign promise to release cannabis prisoners and provide them with retroactive relief. While this administration has made progress, President Biden has yet to release a single federal
Meet the Legal Team Fighting the DEA to Save Psychedelic Research – Psychedelics Today
We are grateful to Psychedelics Today for educating the community about the importance of DOI & DOC. “I have many colleagues who work with these compounds who will testify in the upcoming hearing, and that is only a subset of the research community,” said Elijah Ullman, Chair of SSDP’s Science Policy Council who has been interested in science policy since
DEA Faces Setback As Judge Denies Request To Block Witnesses In Psychedelics Ban Hearing – Benzinga
In a significant development for psychedelics research, a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) administrative law judge has rejected the agency’s request to block key witnesses and evidence in an upcoming hearing. The case, set for November, challenges the DEA’s proposed ban on two psychedelic compounds, DOI and DOC, which are used in research. Thank you to Benzinga for sharing this important the DOI and DOC hearing news.
Looking Ahead to Psychedelic Science 2025 in Denver next June
SSDP is proud to serve as a community partner for MAPS Psychedelic Science, taking place June 16-20, 2025 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. In 2023, Psychedelic Science hosted over 12,000 guests and was the largest psychedelic gathering in the world with classes and workshops, 10 educational stages, expo hall, and Deep Space, an immersive and interactive art experience.
DEA Judge Denies Agency’s Request To Block Witnesses In Hearing Challenging Proposed Psychedelics Ban – Marijuana Moment
“Science prevails!” SSDP Executive Director Kat Murti told Marijuana Moment on Monday. “The DEA is trying to force medical research into the dark ages by criminalizing DOI and DOC—essential research chemicals in pre-clinical psychiatry and neurobiology whose status as unscheduled compounds has made them de facto tools for researchers studying serotonin receptors.” “SSDP is proud to have brought together the
University organization hosts ‘Spooktacular Substance Smarts’ event – Crimson White
SSDP University of Alabama Chapter was featured in the Crimson White for holding a “Spooktacular Substance Smarts” event to raise awareness about potentially harmful Halloween-related substance myths. Marlie Thomson, a senior majoring in interdisciplinary studies with an in-depth study in sociology and social justice, founded UA SSDP in 2022 aiming to promote safe drug practices in the community through prioritizing
Investors Hangout: DEA Witness Denial Sparks Outcry Among Advocates
Published on October 7, 2024 in Investors Hangout by Owen Jenkins. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has caused quite a stir by denying testimony from important witnesses just before scheduled hearings on the potential classification of two psychedelic compounds, 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI) and 2,5-dimethoxy-4-chloroamphetamine (DOC). This decision has led to significant backlash from advocates, most notably the Students for Sensible Drug Policy
Benzinga: DEA Rejects Witnesses For November Hearings On Two Psychedelic Compounds, Advocates Push Back
Coverage on October 7, 2024 in Benzinga by Juan Spínelli. “What is the DEA so scared of that these leading scientists must be muzzled?” asked Robert Rush, a Denver-based attorney representing SSDP. He criticized the agency for attempting to block testimony from some of the world’s foremost experts in neuroscience and pharmacology. Read more in Benzinga here.
Green Market Report: DEA rejects speakers for November hearings on two psychedelic compounds
We are grateful to Debra Borchardt from Green Market Report for her coverage on the DOI/DOC hearings published on October 4, 2024. “What is the DEA so scared of that these leading scientists must be muzzled?” said Robert Rush, a Denver-based attorney who is working hand-in-hand with SSDP to keep research using DOI and DOC legal. “By trying to silence
Filter: DEA Bids to Exclude Expert Witnesses From Psychedelics-Ban Hearing
Special thanks to Jack Gorsline from Filter Magazine for a deeper look into the DEA’s response to our expert witnesses for the DOI and DOC hearing. Published on October 4, 2024. “We have assembled a world-class international group of behavioral and molecular pharmacologists, chemists, neuroscientists, and a former Government Advisor on psychoactive drugs,” added SSDP’s Elijah Ullman, who is himself pursuing
