mystery and otherworldliness about drugs

pretty much the gist as we talk about all things

"That's illegal. What the f**k are you talking about?"

That comment was two years ago, the first time I hosted an online class about 'shrooms. 🍄

We have come a long way since that awkward conversation about illegal drugs, but it still feels like the beginning in many ways. Now my work is less wild and random, plus there is headway with research, science, overall acceptance and new laws decriminalizing personal possession.

I am keenly familiar with the weight of all of last week's conversations. This week, while it's important to acknowledge the world's heartbreak, pain, and injustice, the reality is that if you are reading this, there's more interest in creating a less harmful world. And it may be on many fronts, so today, there are no plans to fill our ears with more bad news. 

We must work extra hard to incorporate new values, practices, and education because it is a significant part of community and movements.

Somewhere in the middle of these conversations, it can be pretty damned inspiring, with new info dosed with much-needed grace, compassion, and nuance. 

The Cover Story podcast questioned the integrity and competence of the people working in the study to bring MDMA to full medicalization. 

Dr. Craig Heacock couldn't disagree more and felt it was imperative to share a different view. He was a study physician/psychiatrist and therapist in the Phase 3 MDMA trial. His experience with participants, colleagues and numerous MAPS staff at all levels of the organization was overlooked in Cover Story's shocking account. I have included that discussion below. 👇

Once I started speaking publicly about my psychedelic experiences, I noticed people were never short on opinions and concerns for legality.

It was tough to feel more hopeful about rounding up of the best practices and positive news — continually facing controversial and opposing views. This week in Canada, we are one step closer:

This Week in Psychedelics 

The Canadian government decriminalizes certain drugs in British Columbia. This week, the Canadian government announced that adults in the country's British Columbia province can possess up to 2.5 grams of MDMA, cocaine, opioids, and methamphetamine beginning January 31, 2023, without fear of arrest or criminal charges. The federal government decided in response to requests from British Columbia Public Health and Vancouver Public Health, asking that possession of small amounts of illicit drugs be exempted from the law. The province has been hard-hit by overdose deaths.

Theresa Tam, Canada's Chief Public Health Officer, tweeted that the move could help save lives. "Stigma and fear of criminalization cause some people to hide their drug use, use alone, or use in other ways that increase the risk of harm," she wrote. CBC reports that the policy is set to last for three years.

~

I am grateful to know more people will be able to use drugs safely. Working and recovering with psychedelics changed my entire brain. It also made me rethink drugs as a whole. The resolution gave me a fundamentally new perspective on the continuous growth that can be bad vs. good -> not repeating the cycle of most things. 

You'll not find any singular north star. It is recognizing that we are all finding our way to heal. It will be different for everyone. Here, I can commit to a learning journey and then show people the pathways that maybe they can do and contribute something. It's truly all over the map, with so much mystery and deeply personal care. 

I am still here, talking to people I love and feeling supported. It keeps me grounded in understanding the importance of community and that you can't do something alone- using this structure and platform tells the reality of my experience with psychedelics and trauma. 

My goal in everything is to build community, so if the spirit moves you, please share it with your people! And, smash the ♥️ button below! 

We can make a difference when we work together. 

Let me know your thoughts in the comments?

Thanks again!

ps. Next week, for the first time, I am releasing some of my poetry. Right here.

Resources:

Back from the Abyss: Psychiatry in Stories

MDMA, MAPS, and Cover Story's Power Trip– Another perspective - the importance of many angles and the pressing need to share a different view.

This Week in Psychedelics @The Microdose brings you a handful of brief takes on developments in the field of psychedelics, covering everything from scientific research and policy to business and culture.