Blog
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
Action Alert: Support Funding for Scientific Research
While I’m sure we are all aware of the rapid news cycle and due to the recent change in the White House Administration, SSDP’s Science Policy Committee wanted to take a moment to share some information as it relates to the mission of the Committee. Part of the work we’ve done previously is advocate for increasing scientific funding and create
We’re Hiring! SSDP Paid Internship Application 2025
Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) is the largest national youth-led network dedicated to ending the War on Drugs. With a Board of Directors primarily elected by and from our student and youth members, SSDP empowers young leaders to engage in the political process, advocate for evidence-based policies, and foster honest, open conversations about drugs and drug policy across the
SSDP Joins Letter Opposing Halt Fentanyl Act
The HALT Fentanyl Act permanently places all “fentanyl-related substances” (FRS) on schedule I of theControlled Substances Act. By placing the entire class of FRS on schedule I, HALT Fentanyl makes it afederal crime—subject to harsh mandatory minimum penalties—to manufacture, import, or possesswith intent to distribute any of the potentially thousands of substances that fall within the definition ofFRS. Additionally, HALT
Join us for SSDP’s Cannabis Week of Unity 2025
You are invited to join us for SSDP’s Cannabis Week of Unity 2025 taking place in Washington D.C. This year’s event does not overlap with 4/20. Due to the holiday that week, Congress is closed, so we will be lobbying the week afterwards. Main event activities are April 28 – May 1. Tentative Schedule April 27 – Arrival & Preparation April 28 – Cannabis
SSDP Hangouts February 9 at 7PM ET
Join us on February 9th at 7:00pm ET for our next Students for Sensible Drug Policy 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! Visit this Zoom link to join. Password is: Hangouts!
Inauguration Integration with Global Psychedelic Society
SSDP is excited to collaborate with the Global Psychedelic Society (GPS) on a special Inauguration Integration event. The GPS is streaming this panel exclusively to in-person watch party events hosted by local Psychedelic Societies around the world. Find yours here! The event will feature a panel will feature: SSDP Local Policy Discussions led by SSDP’s Gina Giorgio at the Community Alliance
Biden Commutes 2,500 Drug Offender Sentences
Breaking news today, January 17 2025 – President Biden commutes 2,500 nonviolent drug offenders convicted of crack cocaine offenses. This is nearly the same number of marijuana prisoners that still sit behind bars waiting to see whether he will live up to his campaign promises to free them. The Associated Press reported today that the most recent round of clemency
This Week in Psychedelics – Tricycle Day
We are grateful to the psychedelics newsletter, Tricycle Day, for mentioning our DOI & DOC post-trial brief in their newsletter today. Right to research: Students for Sensible Drug Policy has filed its post-trial briefing, challenging the DEA’s proposal to schedule DOI and DOC. Read the entire briefing here.
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
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
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
Top 5 Reasons to Support SSDP this Giving Tuesday
Giving Tuesday is an opportunity to use your individual power of generosity to support the nonprofit organizations that you believe in most. SSDP is the largest nationwide network of young people working to replace the War on Drugs with policies rooted in evidence, compassion, and human rights. SSDP mobilizes and empowers young people to participate in the political process and
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
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
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
