Psychedelic Professionals Meet: DENVER

Psychedelic Professionals Meetup Groups are happening!  Let's keep Colorado on the leading edge of psychedelic medicine work by coming together in community to learn, share, and grow. Each Psychedelic Professionals Meetup Group starts with an informative topic relevant to research, practice, policy, or activism around psychedelic medicines, followed by open discussion and an opportunity to connect with like-minded others. 

To close out 2021 in our December gathering, we are excited to welcome Reilly Capps, journalist and author, sharing with us some thoughts and reflections on The Future of Psychedelics in Society.

We're in a crucial moment in the history of psychedelics. The Drug War is winding down. What might a Drug Peace look like? For our last meeting of the year, drugs reporter Reilly Capps surveys the landscape in a talk titled "The Future of Psychedelics in Society." He'll broadly outline the ways in which psychedelics are being used in the global North now, the ways they're rapidly being legalized and decriminalized, and what Americans can expect in the coming years.

He'll compare and contrast two approaches to bringing psychedelics into wider legal use: hierarchical and decentralized. Hierarchical as psychedelics move toward becoming prescription medicines paid for by insurance or governments. Decentralized as psychedelics are decriminalized, home grows of mushrooms myceliate, use is tolerated and towns talk about community-based oversight. What are the benefits and risks of hierarchy and decentralization? Where do they overlap? Can they coexist? Will one eventually dominate?

The talk is broad and expansive--many psychedelic enthusiasts will already be familiar with the terrain. But the slideshow aims to serve as a jumping off point for a lively, open discussion. What's hopeful about today's scene and tomorrow's trajectory? What's discouraging or worrying? What laws or policies should professionals ask for in Denver or beyond? The future of psychedelics has not yet been determined. The opinions of Psychedelic Professionals are needed to help pave the road ahead.

Reilly Capps's drugs reporting has been in the Washington Post, DoubleBlind, Chacruna, Lucid News, the Telluride Daily Planet and The MAPS Bulletin. His reporting for Rooster, a Colorado magazine, helped catalyze the world's first psychedelic decriminalization vote in Denver. Reilly grew fascinated by drugs and their impact on his community as an EMT on an ambulance in Boulder. Answering 911 calls, he saw clearly: not all illegal drugs are equally dangerous. Read all his writing and sign up to be notified of his new articles at Authory.com/reillycapps. Follow him on Twitter @reillycapps

If you have ideas for topics or presentations for these meetup groups or would like to be more involved, please contact us! Please support the Mercury Cafe by purchasing food or drink during our event.