DeepSummary
The podcast discusses Oregon's recently launched legal psilocybin (psychedelic mushroom) services, where trained facilitators guide individuals through psychedelic trips in a controlled setting. Jane C. Hu, who wrote about the emerging legal psychedelics industry, explains how these centers aim to provide a comfortable, home-like environment for safe psilocybin use.
The discussion then turns to the legalization of cannabis, pointing out issues such as lack of equity, high costs, and corporate dominance in the legal marijuana industry. Jane highlights concerns that the psychedelics industry may face similar challenges, with varying regulations and costs across states leading to confusion and potential inequities.
The episode explores the potential for psychedelics to be used therapeutically, with the FDA recently accepting an application for MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD. However, the debate continues on whether substances should be legalized solely for therapeutic purposes or also for recreational use.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Oregon has launched legal psilocybin services, where individuals can access psychedelic trips in a controlled, state-regulated setting.
- The legalization of cannabis has provided lessons and potential pitfalls for the emerging legal psychedelics industry, including issues of equity, cost, and corporate dominance.
- There is debate around whether psychedelics should be legalized solely for therapeutic purposes or also for recreational use.
- The FDA's potential approval of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD could pave the way for further federal changes and legalization efforts.
- Indigenous communities and underground providers have concerns about the corporatization and regulation of psychedelics, which have been used ceremonially for centuries.
- States are taking varied approaches to psychedelic legalization, ranging from cautious regulation to more experimental methods.
- The psychedelics industry is still in a 'hype bubble,' and the reality of legalization and implementation is beginning to surface.
- There is a lack of consensus on the appropriate level of regulation and access for psychedelic substances.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “It feels somewhat unlikely that psychedelics are going to be what get prosecuted in this situation. It really feels like that's maybe more a way that the state wants to reclaim some ability to prosecute people for fentanyl use and try and get a hold of that drug problem.“ by Jane C. Hu
- “With psychedelics, it's kind of interesting because there are so many states that are doing all of those things at once. So rather than having a wave of DCRim, a wave of medical marijuana on a wave of recreational, it feels like with psychedelics, it's just going on all fronts right now.“ by Jane C. Hu
- “People are talking about it and thinking about it for sure. Whether anything is functionally changing is an open question, and I think that is a really important conversation to have.“ by Jane C. Hu
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Episode Information
What Next: TBD | Tech, power, and the future
Slate Podcasts
4/14/24