If you’re working in the space, we hope that these resources help you find success in your efforts.
If you’re already working on something and would like our resources on tactics (primarily around “how to be influential with messaging”) then feel free to contact us and tell us what you’re working on.
Evidence all-drug decriminalization is possible today
Reasons why all-drug decrim is beneficial
Summary of evidence for decriminalization: https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4dhs34/eli5_how_is_the_decriminalization_of_all_drugs_in/d1rbrt8/
http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/crime/2015/02/decriminalization_why_reducing_the_punishments_for_misdemeanors_doesn_t.html (Section titled: “Why are they doing this?”)
https://www.drugpolicy.org/sites/default/files/DPA%20Fact%20Sheet_Approaches%20to%20Decriminalization_%28Feb.%202016%29_0.pdf (Archived at https://archive.is/COXJd)
Videos supporting decriminalization
Everything you think you know about addiction is wrong | Johann Hari - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PY9DcIMGxMs
Let’s quit abusing drug users | Carl Hart - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9HMifCoSko
The Freedom of consciousness argument - if being safe with respect to others, insane to think we’d throw someone in a box and lock them in there for exploring own consciousness safely.
How to cause change
See this case study on the marriage equality movement. Thanks to Open Phil and M.G.
This report, these videos and this article by the Ayni Institute.
Regardless of your political stance, this guiding the resistance report has useful information.
What is optimal drug policy?
We’re not sure what the optimal policies are. We’re not sure if all drugs should be legal, or if there should be some restrictions. If your first reaction is “well, of course all drugs should be legal” we’d encourage you even more to read the resources below, to consider the merits of alternative perspectives.
Some resources to consider:
http://www.slate.com/articles/business/moneybox/2016/11/america_is_legalizing_marijuana_wrong.html
The excellent book ‘Marijuana Legalization: What Everyone Needs to Know’ (applies to general drug policy)
https://www.tdpf.org.uk/sites/default/files/Blueprint-executive-summary.pdf and https://www.tdpf.org.uk/sites/default/files/Blueprint.pdf
And additionally:
Book ‘Drug War Heresies’ (rigorous and highly recommended)
Book ‘Marijuana Legalization: What Everyone Needs to Know’
Book ‘Beyond Addiction: How Science and Kindness Help People Change’
Book ‘How to Change Your Drinking: A Harm Reduction Guide to Alcohol’
Book ‘Allen Carr’s Easy Way To Stop Smoking’
Book ‘Forces of Habit’
Book ‘The American Disease’
Book ‘The Hardest Drug’
Book ‘Paying the Tab’
Book ‘Against Excess’
What are the organizations that exist in the field?
So in terms of psychedelic therapy, some that come to mind are MAPS, MPBC, Usona, Compass Pathways, Heffter and Beckley.
MAPS: “Founded in 1986, the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) is a 501©(3) non-profit research and educational organization that develops medical, legal, and cultural contexts for people to benefit from the careful uses of psychedelics and marijuana.” https://maps.org/
MPBC: “Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) is proud to announce the formation of the MAPS Public Benefit Corporation (MPBC), a new wholly owned subsidiary of MAPS.” MPBC is doing Phase 3 clinical trials with MDMA to treat PTSD, to seek FDA approval of MDMA. https://mapsbcorp.com/
Usona: “Usona Institute is currently in the planning phases for our multi-site Phase 2/Phase 3 clinical research program focused on psilocybin as a treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD).” https://www.usonainstitute.org/
Compass Pathways: Working on FDA approval and EMA approval of psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression.
Then in terms of broader drug policy and drug decriminalization, there’s the ACLU, DPA, and a big list of other marijuana policy organizations.