More and more cities and states are joining the movement to decriminalize psychedelic plants and fungi as many embrace their medicinal and life-altering benefits. The vast acceptance coincides with research proving the safety and efficacy of psychedelic medicines. This April, an important conference by Chacruna.net will help address the transforming legality surrounding these medicines, and those passionate about psychedelics are encouraged to attend.
Chacruna’s Psychedelic Liberty Summit, April 25-26 in San Francisco, is planning to explore vital questions surrounding the newly relaxed laws around psychedelics. What do we need to know about psilocybin decriminalization initiatives? What rights do people have to ameliorate pain and suffering? What does it mean to allow for cognitive liberty? What does FDA regulation of MDMA and psilocybin mean for other uses? What discontinuities exist between recreational, therapeutic and religious use of psychedelics? What are the future legal markets and the commercialization of psychedelics?
Reset had the opportunity to interview Bob Otis Stanley, an active member of the Chacruna Institute’s Council for the Protection of Sacred Plants. He was also the founding Chairperson and is a Board Member of the Decriminalize Nature group responsible for entheogen decriminalization in Oakland, CA.
Thanks for taking the time to speak with us. Can you give us an overview of what the Psychedelic Liberty Summit will entail and what you hope to accomplish with conferences like this?
This Summit will bring together experts from around the world to discuss the legal, cultural, and political issues around the emerging psychedelic renaissance.
Topics for discussion will address the future of psychedelic practices in the US, including decriminalization, legalization, medicalization, harm reduction, ethics, access and sustainability.
Overall, Summit hopes to support the realization of diverse, experienced and respectful discussion that will usefully inform the future of psychedelic practices in the US.
Who will be speaking/attending?
As usual Chacruna has put incredible effort into recruiting diverse, indigenous, representative, expert speakers. This conference brings in backgrounds in traditional practices, clinical training and practices, ethnobotany, law, ethics. Confirmed presenters include Ariel Clark, David Bronner, Kat Conour, Dawn Davis, Belinda Ariacho, Miguel Evanjuanoy Chindoy, Dr. Sonya Faber, Liana Sananda Gillooly, Nicolle Greenheart, Kufikiri Hiari Imara, Bob Otis Stanley, Sandor Ironrope, Dr. Beatriz Caiuby Labate, Dr. Alia Lilienstein, Dr. Mariavittoria Mangini, Danielle Negrin, Diana Negrín, Zoe Terwilliger and many others.
Is there a particular speaker or panel at the Psychedelic Liberty Summit that you are especially excited about?
There are several tracks we’re really excited about!
For example, we’re particularly excited to bring together diverse decriminalization and legalization experts for engaged and respectful discussion. Aligned intentions and efforts as well as strongly held differences in goals and concerns will make for engaging discussion.
We’re also excited about a parallel set of Breakout Sessions to be held within a large community-oriented space next door to the main presentation stage. These should be interactive and lively sessions, looking into ethics, access, sustainability. Usefully, a local Sacred Garden Community will be bringing live representatives of many of the traditional sacred plants (which they consider to be Plant Sacraments) and more recently recognized psychedelic plants to the conference, so we will be able to see, feel and listen to the plants as we discuss our relationship to them.
Last but not least, we’re excited to announce the “Council for the Protection of Sacred Plants” at the Summit. The Council is an initiative of the Chacruna Institute that advocates for the legality of sacred plant medicines among indigenous peoples and non-indigenous communities, encourages legal harm-reduction practices that protect those who use them, educates about conservation of plant species, documents relevant legal and social issues, and consults on legal cases.
How can people attend or support the Psychedelic Liberty Summit?
Check out our public facing information at https://chacruna.net/psychedelic-liberty-summit/ . Visit beautiful San Francisco. it will be a lovely time of year, this April 25-26!
Is there anything else about the Psychedelic Liberty Summit that you’d like to share?
This is a unique opportunity to learn what is happening at the vanguard for representatives of venerable sacred plant traditions as well as for post-modern engagement with psychedelic plants and materials. This conference brings respected indigenous practitioners with legal experts, clinicians, religious leaders and gardeners …to dive deeply into issues around freedom and psychedelic practice, status of various legal initiatives, safe and ethical access and practice. Come see us!
You are invited to join the Psychedelic Liberty Summit April 25-26, 2020 at The Brava Theatre Center in San Francisco, CA. Purchase your tickets here. The cost is $190 for all of the two-day events. Scholarships are also available.
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