Blog
SSDP Takes D.C. by Storm for the 2025 Cannabis Week of Unity
were right in the heart of the action, bringing the crucial perspective of young people demanding justice, equity, and sensible cannabis reform. From high-level policy discussions to grassroots lobbying, here’s a look back at our impactful week on the ground…
SSDP & The Shulgin Foundation Webinar Series Kicks Off May 27
Join SSDP for a collaborative educational webinar series with the Shulgin Foundation highlighting the intersection of chemical innovation, research value, cognitive liberty, and drug policy reform. The series kicks off with a webinar entitled, “You’ve Gotta Fight for Your Right to Research (Chemicals): The Battle to Stop the DEA Scheduling of DOI and DOC. A Webinar on the Future of
SSDP Launches “HOPE” on International Harm Reduction Day
In celebration of International Harm Reduction Day, SSDP has launched HOPE (Harm Reduction & Overdose Prevention Education), our app-based educational initiative. This new mobile application is designed to put life-saving opioid overdose recognition and response training—along with access to essential harm reduction supplies like naloxone—directly into the hands of students, young people, and concerned community members across the nation. International
Cannabis Unity Coalition Lobbying Day
SSDP is a proud partner of the Cannabis Unity Coalition the nation’s largest bipartisan alliance of 30+ cannabis advocacy organizations united for the purpose of passing federal legislation to fully legalize cannabis and release all cannabis prisoners. SSDPers from across the country have gathered in DC this week and deliver materials today to every single office of Congress asking for
SSDP’s Ullman Testifies at the United Nations
Last month, SSDP Science Policy Committee Co-founder Dr. Elijah Ullman traveled to Vienna, Austria to represent SSDP at the 68th Session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs and to deliver an official statement strongly urging international lawmakers to prevent poorly planned drug scheduling regulations from halting vital scientific research. For reference, Dr. Ullman’s testimony has been included in full
SSDP Takes Action at Cannabis Week of Unity 2025
SSDP is a founding member of the Cannabis Unity Coalition, which is the largest ever bipartisan coalition of cannabis justice advocates all of whom will be represented in Washington, D.C. for Cannabis Unity Week from April 28th to May 1st. We will be meeting with our Representatives and Senators on Capitol Hill to urge them to support upcoming cannabis bills
SSDP May Hangout: Celebrating our Impact
Greetings SSDP Fam! Our next SSDP Hangout event is SUNDAY, MAY 4th at 7:00 pm ET. Reflect on another great academic year with SSDP! Hang out with other SSDP folks from across the country, share success stories, and plant seeds for success for the summer and year ahead. If you have any questions please email amanda.ivatorov@board.ssdp.org. We look forward to
You Are Invited to Join SSDP’s Psychedelics Committee
Hello SSDP Family, We’re excited to invite you to join the SSDP Psychedelics Committee. WHAT ARE YOUR INTERESTS? This committee will be a space for all to come together, explore the potential of psychedelics, and push for meaningful policy change. We want to hear from you! Please fill out this interest form to share your ideas, goals, and what areas
SSDPers Testify in Texas State House
Former University of North Texas Chapter Leader and current Elected Director on SSDP’s youth-led Board of Directors Jeannette McKenzie and Halle Tarvin, an SSDP alumni who was one of the original founders of UNT’s SSDP chapter, testified last week against two Texas bills that threaten to recriminalize cannabinoids and create harsh new penalties under law. The pair have been working
Win a Pass to Psychedelic Science 2025
Join SSDP at Psychedelic Science 2025: The Integration, happening June 16–20 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. This is more than a conference—it’s a collective moment to come together, connect across disciplines, and shape the future of psychedelic science and healing. Use our promo code SSDP15 for 15% off your registration, and be part of a historic gathering where
SSDP Bicoastal Blitz Part 2
Happy Thursday! Wherever you are in the world, we hope that your week is off to a productive start so far.As many readers may already be well-aware, the entire SSDP team has been incredibly busy so far this year with back-to-back multi-conference weekends to end the month of March, along with a lengthy list of SSDP chapter gatherings, community events,
Empathy Over Excess: More Naloxone is Not Always Better
Picture credit to harm reductionist and friend of SSDP Azrael Mae Ní Mháille
SSDP Rowan University Cannabis Industry Networking Night Returns April 22
Join SSDP’s Rowan University Chapter’s Second Annual Cannabis Industry Networking Night! If you passionate about the cannabis industry, looking to connect with like-minded professionals, and expand your network, then mark your calendar for Rowan University’s Chapter of Students for Sensible Drug Policy’s Second Annual Cannabis Industry Networking Night! Taking place on April 22nd at 3:00 PM at Bonesaw Brewery located at 570 Mullica Hill Road Glassboro, NJ 08028. This event
SSDP’s Bicoastal Blitz: From Berkeley’s Psychedelic Safety to Boston’s Annual New England Cannabis Convention Series
The first quarter of 2024 has been a whirlwind for Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP), marked by relentless advocacy, impactful harm reduction initiatives, and strategic coalition building. From legal challenges against the DEA to groundbreaking discussions on psychedelic safety and cannabis policy, SSDP staffers, student ambassadors, and organizational partners have been at the forefront of the movement. While a
Chacruna’s Psychedelic Culture 2025 with SSDP
SSDP is delighted to be a community partner and speakers for Chacruna’s Psychedelic Culture 2025. Chacruna has been hosting groundbreaking psychedelic conferences since 2015, and this year, Psychedelic Culture continues that legacy. This two-day in-person event taking place March 29-30 will feature three simultaneous tracks covering Indigenous reciprocity, psychedelic justice, law & policy, women & queer voices, Global South perspectives,
Pennsylvania Cannabis Convention March 30 in Pittsburgh with SSDP
SSDP is excited to sponsor the PA Cannabis Convention in Pittsburgh this Sunday from 10AM – 5PM at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. This event is free to all PA MMJ Patients, and a small entry fee for the general public.We’ll be hosting a booth, so please stop by and visit us and learn more about our work and
Fordham SSDP to Host Speaker Event with Drug Policy Advocate Corinne Carey
New York, NY – March 24, 2025 – Students for Sensible Drug Policy is excited to announce that the Fordham University chapter will host a speaker event this Friday featuring Corinne Carey, a leading New York advocate for drug policy reform, harm reduction, and end-of-life care legislation. Event Details: Date: March 28, 2025 Time: 9:15 AM – 10:30 AM ET Location: South Lounge, Lowenstein Center, Fordham University Lincoln Center Campus
SSDP Joins Psychedelics 101 Congressional Briefing
What an honor to have a seat at the table for the Psychedelics 101 briefing hosted by the Congressional Psychedelics Advancing Therapies (PATH) Caucus and organized with the help of former Rep. Mimi Walters (R-CA). SSDP Executive Director Kat Murti ’09 and Program Assistant Chandler Huffman ’25 attended the meeting in the Rayburn House Office Building earlier this week. Dr.
SSDP Hangout April 7 – Myth or Fact
Join us on Monday, April 7th at 8:00 pm ET for a collegial, fun, friendly, and (slightly) competitive round of Myth or Fact! Hang out with SSDP folks from across the nation, discuss drug policy, and learn more about ongoing events. Please direct any questions to amanda.ivatorov@board.ssdp.org. We hope to see you all there! Visit this link to join via
Join us for our next SSDP Hangout this Sunday, March 2nd
Join us on March 2nd at 7pm ET for a network-wide hangout! Meet other SSDP folks, and enjoy a Q&A session with candidates for our national board of directors before casting your vote! We hope to see you there! Zoom link to join here!
Meet the SSDP Board Candidates for 2025!
As the largest national youth-led network dedicated to ending the War on Drugs, SSDP thrives on the power of youth leadership. Each year, our members elect new student leaders to the Board of Directors, a vital role in shaping SSDP’s strategy, governance, and impact. Serving on the Board is a unique opportunity to gain hands-on nonprofit management experience while driving
Help Legalize Marijuana in Texas
Citizen Lobby Day Presented by: Texas Cannabis Collective In partnership with: SSDP, Texas Cannabis Policy Center, Last Prisoner Project Media Partners: Grow House Media, & TX Cannabis TV Sponsors: Thrive Apothecary, GRAV, The Haze Connect, Cardiel Cannabis Co Register: Lobby Day Join us for a day of advocacy at the Texas Capitol! Bringing together advocates from the medical, hemp, criminal
Join SSDP’s Drug Education Committee!
Hello SSDP Family, We’re excited to invite you to join the SSDP Drug Education Committee as we get ready to revamp Just Say Know! What is Just Say Know? Just Say Know is SSDP’s peer-led drug education program designed to provide young people with accurate information and resources about drugs, drug policy, and drug safety. We are getting ready to
Join SSDP at Psychedelic Buddhism 2025 on February 21 in New York City
Psychedelic Buddhism 2025 is a unique conference for open discussion on the intersection of Buddhist wisdom and psychedelic practice, offering tools and insights to empower and support our communities. Through presentations, interactive discussions & hands-on sessions, the event will share practical insights and build a supportive, evolving community of practice. The conference takes place on Friday, February 21st and Saturday, February
ACTION ALERT: Stop the HALT Fentanyl Act
The HALT Fentanyl Act would permanently place all fentanyl-related substances in Schedule I, create mandatory minimum sentences for offenses involving fentanyl-related substances, and impede important research into fentanyl-related substances. The HALT Fentanyl Act is more of the same failed and draconian drug war policies that neither prevent overdose nor stop the distribution of fentanyl in drug markets, will tear families
