Blog
Bipartisan Solutions to Federal Cannabis Policy Challenges at the 2025 National Cannabis Policy Summit
Students for Sensible Drug Policy Executive Director Kat Murti was featured on a National Cannabis Policy Summit panel discussion of “Bipartisan Solutions to Federal Cannabis Policy Challenges,” alongside the Drug Policy Alliance’s Maritza Perez-Medina and Lake Research Partner’s McCauley Pugh, moderated by veteran journalist Matt Laslo. In this important conversation, panelists discuss the past, present, and future of cannabis policy through an
SSDP Submits Written Testimony in Massachusetts, Denouncing “Nicotine-Free Generation” Bills as a New Face of the War on Drugs
On July 14, 2025, Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) Executive Director Kat Murti was invited to testify virtually before the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Public Health in opposition to H.2562 and S.1568—bills that would ban the sale of all nicotine products to anyone born on or after January 1, 2006, and have been jointly titled “An Act to create a nicotine free generation.” Unfortunately,
Join SSDP’s First Harm Reduction Committee Meeting!
At Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP), we believe that real change begins with education, community, and collaboration. That’s why we’re excited to invite you to the very first meeting of our Harm Reduction Committee! Please complete the Interest Form to get involved. 📅 Date: Thursday, July 31st🕒 Time: 4:00 – 5:00 pm EDT📍 Meeting Link: https://meet.google.com/oxr-kwty-xev This meeting is
Sign SSDP’s Petition to Stop Meta Censorship
With nearly 100 company and organization co-signers (and growing!) to our Open Letter to Meta, the fight to end disproportionate censorship of content related to cannabis, psychedelics, and harm reduction has just begun. The recent social media suspensions and bans that have swept through our communities, inspired us at SSDP to bring together a broad coalition of students, educators, researchers,
You’ve Gotta Fight For Your Right To Research (Chemicals): A Webinar on the Future of Psychedelic Research: The Battle to Stop the DEA Scheduling of DOI & DOC
In a collaborative webinar between Students For Sensible Drug Policy & The Shulgin Foundation, we dive into the attempted scheduling of two serotonergic research chemicals. Hamilton Morris, PhD, Alaina Jaster, PhD, and Robert Rush, ESQ, discuss their experience fighting the DEA in their own courtroom in November of 2024.
SSDP Hosts Cool Down Space at National Cannabis Festival July 18-19
While the summer sun is beating away, we are brewing some amazing ways to connect with SSDP fam and the larger cannabis community. Join us July 18-19th at the National Cannabis Festival in D.C.! Music, weed, munchies, and talks allll day! We will be hosting a Cool Down Space, a harm reduction sanctuary where folks can spend some time to
Reason Versus City Journal: Legalize All Drugs Debate
Should all drugs be legal? At SSDP, we certainly think so! The War on Drugs is a War on Us and while all substances do carry risks and can have negative impacts on an individual, prohibition magnifies any negative impacts exponentially while creating new problems of its own. On June 24th, SSDP Program Assistant Chandler Huffman attended a Washington D.C.
PATH Caucus Briefing: Clinical Research on Psychedelic Therapies
On June 24, 2025, SSDP Executive Director Kat Murti, Program Assistant Chandler Huffman, and Archivist Christopher Gagnon attended a Congressional briefing on the latest clinical research into psychedelic-assisted therapies for mental health and addiction, hosted by the Congressional Psychedelics Advancing Therapies (PATH) Caucus. Featured speakers Dr. Frederick Barrett and Dr. Brandon Weiss from Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Psychedelic and
ON WORLD PSYCHEDELICS DAY, DEA ATTEMPTS TO SILENCE SCIENCE BY RECOMMENDING TO SCHEDULE DOI AND DOC
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Gina Giorgio Director of Strategy and Development Students for Sensible Drug Policy gina@ssdp.org ON WORLD PSYCHEDELICS DAY, DEA ATTEMPTS TO SILENCE SCIENCE BY RECOMMENDING TO SCHEDULE DOI AND DOC By recommending that 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodo-amphetamine (DOI) and 2,5-dimethoxy-4-chloro-amphetamine (DOC) be added to Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, the Administrative Law Judge is supporting the DEA’s proposal
OPEN LETTER TO META: END THE CENSORSHIP OF CANNABIS, PSYCHEDELIC, AND HARM REDUCTION COMMUNITIES
OPEN LETTER TO META: END THE CENSORSHIP OF CANNABIS, PSYCHEDELIC, AND HARM REDUCTION COMMUNITIES To the Leadership and Content Moderation Teams at Meta Platforms, Inc., We write to you today on behalf of a broad coalition of students, educators, researchers, advocates, entrepreneurs, and community leaders working at the forefront of drug policy reform, harm reduction, and public health. We are
SSDP at Psychedelic Science 2025 in Denver
The Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) is hosting Psychedelic Science—the largest gathering of the psychedelic movement—at the Colorado Convention Center next week, and SSDP is showing up big! PS2025 begins on Monday, June 16 with two days of classes and workshops hosted by the movement’s top instructors. Then the main conference—featuring 500+ speakers, 10 stages, a diverse Expo Hall,
FreedomFest – The World’s Largest Gathering of Free Minds
Since 2007, FreedomFest has been the leader in the liberty movement to bring together thousands of people committed to freedom – concerned citizens, educators, professionals, business leaders, filmmakers, politicians, celebrities, and policy makers. FreedomFest will offer a mix of 2,000 open-minded and inquisitive people, from business experts, politicians, and entrepreneurs… to influencers, artists, and filmmakers. FreedomFest is independent, non-partisan, and not
Marijuana Mythbusters: Debunking the DEA’s Claims
Despite widespread support for cannabis policy reform, prohibitionists continue to perpetuate misinformation to stigmatize cannabis consumers and prevent further reform progress. That’s why the Marijuana Policy Project and Students for Sensible Drug Policy have teamed up to tackle these myths head-on, offering evidence-based insights to set the record straight! CLAIM: Marijuana is a gateway drug. REALITY: The vast majority of
SSDP’s Gina Giorgio Interviewed On North Carolina’s Spectrum News 1
Gina Giorgio, SSDP’s Director of Strategy and Development and Founder of the North Carolina Psychedelic Policy Coalition, was interviewed by NC television news station Spectrum News 1 about the formation of the North Carolina Psychedelic Policy Coalition in her home state, and the impact that psychedelic could have on supporting mental health patients. New psychedelic studies are underway at UNC
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
SSDP and Coalition Letter on Fentanyl and Fentanyl Analogues Sentencing
SSDP recently joined with the Drug Police Alliance (DPA) and a large coalition of public health and criminal justice organizations to urge the United States Sentencing Commission (USSC) to reject increased sentencing requirements for fentanyl, fentanyl analogues, and other synthetic opioids. In a public comment submitted to the USSC, the coalition stated that the history of prohibitionist drug policy in
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
Latest News
November 3, 2025
