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 comprehensive Q1 review is forthcoming, last week’s bicoastal endeavors in Berkeley, California, and Boston, Massachusetts, offer a glimpse into SSDP’s continuously dynamic and multifaceted approach to advocacy, education, and coalition-building across the drug policy reform eco-system on an international scale.

Berkeley’s Psychedelic Safety Institute: A Glimpse into the Future

On the West Coast, SSDP Director of Strategy and Development Gina Giorgio and SSDP Director of Communications and Events gina vensel embarked on a journey to sunny Berkeley, California, for the inaugural Psychedelic Safety Institute at UC Berkeley. The event, a crucial gathering of researchers, advocates, and policymakers, focused on the critical need for responsible and informed approaches to psychedelic use.

The institute drew a diverse crowd of influential figures, including Psychedelics Today Co-founder and CEO Joe Moore, Lucid News Executive Editor Annie Oak Harrison, and former Chair of SSDP’s youth-led Board of Directors Ismaill Ali—now co-interim director at the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). The presence of these individuals underscored the interconnectedness of the psychedelic advocacy landscape and the shared commitment to advancing safe and equitable access.

Due to strict Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), detailed discussions from within the summit remain confidential. However, the event’s focus on safety, harm reduction, and ethical considerations signals a growing recognition of the need for responsible integration of psychedelics into mainstream discourse. 

Boston’s Cannabis Convergence: Bridging Advocacy and Education

Meanwhile, on the East Coast, a diverse group of SSDP members convened in Boston, Massachusetts, for a series of events that highlighted the organization’s commitment to both cannabis and psychedelic policy reform. The weekend kicked off at the New Dia Cannabis Mall, located near Fenway Park for ?ortal to: ?lants and other Medicines event, presented by Talking Joints Memo and Psychedelic State(s) of America.

Hosted by SSDP Media Coordinator Jack Gorsline, the Thursday showcase brought together a wide array of stakeholders from the cannabis and psychedelic communities. The event fostered valuable networking opportunities and facilitated crucial conversations on the intersection of advocacy, education, and policy.

A highlight of the evening was a panel discussion featuring SSDP/Ramos co-counsel Robert Rush, who provided an update on psychedelic policy reform efforts and legislative developments in New York State, where he actively supports New Yorkers for Mental Health Alternatives. SSDP Executive Director Kat Murti joined Rush to discuss the ongoing SSDP/Ramos legal challenge against the DEA regarding the scheduling status of DOI and DOC, shedding light on the complexities of the case and the potential implications for future research and access.

The following morning, SSDP team members were on site at the Hynes Convention Center for the 11th-annual Boston edition of the New England Cannabis Convention (NECANN). Over two days, SSDP staffers and volunteers participated in numerous panels, engaging with attendees and sharing insights on various aspects of drug policy reform.

A particularly impactful panel focused on SSDP’s legal battle against the DEA, raising awareness about the organization’s efforts to preserve access to DOI and DOC. Many attendees expressed surprise at the DEA’s actions, highlighting the importance of SSDP’s advocacy in educating the public about these critical issues.

Saturday’s NECANN lineup featured a series of psychedelic-focused discussions, including a presentation by SSDP Science Policy Committee member Dr. Tanner Andersen on new and promising  research in the psychedelic field. Joined by Psychedelic Society of Vermont founder Dr. Rick Barnett and Mass Healing Educational Outreach Director Graham Moore for what one attendee described as “the most slept on” panel of the long weekend,Dr. Andersen’s contribution to the discussion panel specifically emphasized and underscored the potential anti-inflammatory effects of certain psychedelics along with the need for further scientific exploration of next-gen psychedelic modalities and treatment models.

NECANN Boston’s highly-anticipated keynote panel, Psychedelics in the Media was arguably the talk of the entire conference by the end of the day on Saturday, with thought-provoking discourse extending the keynote panel’s duration well into the scheduled lunch break.

Hosted by SSDP Media Coordinator Jack Gorsline and featuring former CNN producer and founder of Cultivating Wisdom Cesar Marin, Senior Editor for DoubleBlind Magazine Mary Carreon, and SSDP Executive Director Kat Murti, the panel explored the evolving portrayal of psychedelics in the media and the importance of responsible and accurate reporting.

Coast-to-Coast, Continued: SSDP at the PACC and The Chacruna Institute’s Psychedelic Culture Conference

The momentum continues, as SSDP leadership prepares for another dual-set of conferences on both sides of the Mississippi this weekend – with a delegation set to attend the Chacruna Institute’s annual Psychedelic Culture Conference in San Francisco on March 29th and 30th,  which will bring together researchers, practitioners, and advocates to explore the cultural and spiritual dimensions of psychedelics. For Psychedelic Culture attendees looking for “the others” prior to the start of the conference on Saturday morning, join SSDP team members later today at Taqueria San Francisco from 5:00 – 7:00 PM (PST) for an assuredly engaging, moderately informal meetup.

SSDP Director of Strategy and Development Gina Giorgio, will participate in a fireside chat-style presentation on “Psychedelics Education for Teens and Parents,” addressing the critical need for age-appropriate and harm-reduction-focused education. 

SSDP Executive Director Kat Murti will also take the stage (again) at this weekend’s Psychedelic Culture conference for what is sure to be a fascinating discussion on the murky-watered future of federal psychedelic policy reform in the United States entitled Paradoxes & Prospects of Psychedelics Under The Current Administration In The USA. Moderated by Psychedelics Today co-founder and CEO Joe Moore, Murti’s fellow panelists on Sunday include current MAPS Co-Interim Director Ismail Ali JD, Delphi CEO Lia Mix, and Dr.Lynnette Averill.

Additionally, a collective of SSDP east coasters trek to Steel City, USA to support and co-sponsor the Pennsylvania Cannabis Convention (PACC) at the David L Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, PA this Sunday, March 30.

SSDP Board members and Pittsburgh Community Chapter members will be hosting a panel, “Cannabis Activism with SSDP” at 3:30pm on Sunday including Board Chair Karley Snyder, Board members Kennedy Landers and gina vensel, and Pittsburgh Community Chapter member Theresa Nightingale.

The event is free to SSDPers and Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana patients, and following the event SSDP team members will be hosting a meetup at Condado Tacos, located across the street from the convention center.

The bicoastal series of events underscores SSDP’s commitment to advancing sensible drug policies through advocacy, education, and community engagement. From legal challenges against the DEA to discussions on psychedelic safety and cannabis policy, SSDP is playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of drug policy reform. The organization’s dedication to evidence-based approaches and its commitment to empowering young people make it a vital force in the movement for a more just and equitable world.

As for what’s to come – stay tuned for a recap of this weekend’s comings and goings both in the Bay Area and back on the east coast at the PACC, along with some exciting event partnerships that are soon to be announced in the week(s) ahead!