CIRCA 2011,
I was grappling with what to do about the profound transformation that was offered to me throughout 13 monthy, consecutive solo psilocybin journeys.
THE MUSHROOMS HAD ENTIRELY TURNED MY LIFE AROUND.
Actually, scratch that, they did more than turn it around, they flipped it inside out, showed me what it was made of, and then gave me the codex to rewrite its foundations. It was such a positive experience for me (and I was in my ‘ra-ra change the world’ early 20s) that I felt I needed to share what I learned with the mushroom so others could also benefit from their potential for healing, growth, and transformation.
It wasn’t long after this revelation that the series of events that would culminate into the publishing of Decomposing The Shadow. Fast forward 6 more years and that same series of events led me to this podcast, taking me all over the world in the process. To say the least, psilocybin has been a profoundly positive contributor to my quality of life. But, I am getting ahead of myself. Before I began writing Decomposing The Shadow, I knew that it was the right time for a book like it. I knew that there was a cultural shift coming in the world and that shift would include psilocybin mushrooms in a place of respect and positive acknowledgment.
However, I didn’t think that within 10 years I would be looking at the genuine possibility of psilocybin services, such as psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy being offered in the public sphere, let alone on the verge of, perhaps being legalized in the USA! But, again, I am getting ahead of myself. Psilocybin is not up for legalizing on a federal level (cannabis is still schedule 1!). Psilocybin is, however, in the process of being brought to the campaign ballot in the state of Oregon.
In 2020, the constituency of Oregon might be able to go to their local polling stations and vote to enter into state law an initiative that will allow for the legal offering of psilocybin services — effectively legalizing psilocybin-assisted psychedelic therapy as well as non-medical facilitations. Psilocybin is on its way to legalization in Oregon, and there are two primary people we have to thank for that, Tom and Sheri Eckert.
As husband-and-wife founders of the Oregon Psilocybin Society (OPS) and authors of the Psilocybin Service Initiative (PSI), Tom and Sheri Eckert have set in motion a historic campaign to legalize Psilocybin Services, also known as Psilocybin Assisted Therapy, in their home state of Oregon. A growing number of Oregonians are getting behind the idea, largely in response to the latest science. The Eckerts, with a growing army of volunteers, are spreading a truth held increasingly self-evident: that the psilocybin experience, when facilitated under safe and supportive conditions, can be a life-changing gift.
I am happy to welcome Tom and Sheri to the show! We talk about their initiative to bring psilocybin services Oregon (#PSI2020), what they have accomplished and what’s left to achieve on the road towards getting PSI on the 2020 ballot, the challenges they are facing, and the visions of a potential future world where psilocybin is not only destigmatized but safely, and institutionally available for anyone who chooses to experience it.
Originally posted on jameswjesso.com
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EPISODE BREAKDOWN
- A primer on the psi2020 movement
- Who will have access to these services
- What about homegrown mushrooms or psilocybin possession?
- A picture of a potential production and supply chain of psilocybin
- How they are facing the continuing federal prohibition (drug war)
- Federal drug policy reform
- The possible dangers of big business and big Pharma
- The compass pathways controversy
- The highs and lows of the capitalist system in psychedelic culture
- Is it wrong to charge money for these services?
- What about subsidies for the economically vulnerable who need these services
- The difference between psi2020 and the Denver initiative
- The dark fantasy world of American drug law regarding psilocybin
- How will future people look back on our choices now
- What would a future world look like is psilocybin was socially destigmatized, and services for it are effectively institutionalized
RELEVANT LINKS
PSI-2020.ORG
This is where you can find all the information you need in order to understand and support this initiative!
This is a great way to simply support the initiative while also wearing that support for all to see (and ask you about!)
