A PSA Advocacy Spotlight Initiative Alert
Getting up to speed before getting back on the road
ICYMI: Last month, I joined longtime PSA supporter and Psychedelics Today founder Joe Moore live to announce the launch of PSA’s most ambitious collaborative reporting project yet: the PSA Advocacy Spotlight Initiative.
This mad-dash public profile interview series aims to shine a bright(er) light on the crucial work being done by grassroots political advocates and advocacy groups in the psychedelic space across the United States and beyond.
In an effort to synchronize the various collaborative channels by which PSA’s Advocacy Spotlight Initiative’s earliest aughts have been disseminated and in anticipation of another major PSA project launch in the *very* near future, here’s a quick look back at our first two landmark interviews:
New Mexico's Historic Psilocybin Journey Under the Spotlight
On Sunday, April 20th, the PSA Advocacy Spotlight Initiative launched with an exclusive panel interview, "What’s Next for Psychedelics in New Mexico?". Broadcasted live via Psychedelic State(s) of America and Psychedelics Today, the discussion featured some of the dedicated grassroots psychedelic advocates instrumental in New Mexico’s historic passage of SB-219, the Medical Psilocybin Act.
Spotlight RVA: The Inaugural River City Plant Medicine Showcase
The initiative then hit the road, where I made my next stop in my hometown Richmond, Virginia, for The Inaugural River City Plant Medicine Showcase. This event, also streamed live and available here to watch in full, featured a special interview with Will Nelson of Decriminalize Nature Virginia and Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP).
The showcase, hosted at Antennae Gallery in downtown RVA - included a series of enlightening discussions:
"Emerging Trends in Cannabis and Psychedelic Science: Research, Treatments, and Regulations": Exploring the latest scientific advancements and regulatory shifts.
"Psychedelics and Religion: Ancient Wisdom, Modern Applications, Legal Complexities, and more": A fascinating panel hosted by Jack Gorsline, featuring Sabba Nazhand and Michael Gam, Founder of the Jakon Kibi Church, who discussed the deep-rooted connections between psychedelics and spiritual practices.
"Assessing the State of Psychedelic and Cannabis Policy in Virginia (and beyond)": A critical look at the current policy environment in the Commonwealth and its broader implications.
With a diverse attendance both in-person and online, this particular southern-styled showcase highlighted the multifaceted demography of the plant medicine advocacy community at large - from scientific research and religious freedoms to any/all ongoing state-level policy reform efforts.
So… what's Next for the PSA Advocacy Spotlight Initiative?
In short: stay tuned for another groundbreaking announcement this Saturday, May 10, as PSA gears up to get back out on the road in the days and weeks ahead.
About Psychedelic State(s) of America: Psychedelic State(s) of America is dedicated to providing in-depth coverage and analysis of the rapidly evolving landscape of psychedelic policy, research, and culture across the United States.