MAPS IRS Form 990 for 1999 in PDF format
Fiscal Year June 1, 1998 – May 31, 1999 (FY 98-99) was another year of significant accomplishments. More than twice as much money was devoted to educational projects than to research projects, due in part to continued struggles to obtain permission for research. Staff time was more evenly divided between educational and research efforts, primarily because working to resolve and overcome bureaucratic obstacles to research requires more time and effort than money.
MAPS' efforts on behalf of research bore fruit this summer – after the close of MAPS' FY 98-99 – with three FDA decisions which we reported in the last Bulletin (Vol. IX No. 3). First, the FDA approved MAPS' application to have marijuana designated an Orphan Drug for AIDS wasting. Second, the FDA approved Dr. Ethan Russo's MAPS-supported marijuana/migraine protocol. Finally, the FDA decided to permit Dr. Charles Grob to move forward with a MAPS- supported study of MDMA in cancer patients, with the exact protocol design still to be negotiated.
You can read this report in its original form here.
Income for FY 98-99 was $308,743.
Scientifically, FY 98-99 was a year in which several groundbreaking studies were conducted, most notably Dr. Krupitsky's study of the use of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy in the treatment of heroin addicts, and the UC San Francisco study of Dr. Donald Abrams, in which the effects of marijuana in HIV patients is being evaluated. A fascinating study of Salvia divinorum and meditation was started, and a medical marijuana potency study was completed, both at little financial cost. A follow-up study to the LSD research of Dr. Janiger was completed and a follow-up study to the LSD research of Dr. Bastiaans was initiated.
A great deal of energy was spent trying to obtain permission for MDMA research projects around the world, for Dr. Russo's marijuana/migraine study in the United States, and for MAPS' application to have marijuana declared on Orphan Drug for AIDS wasting syndrome. The results of this effort can be seen in the FDA's final approval of Dr. Russo's study, which took place in FY 99-2000, and FDA approval of MAPS' application to have marijuana declared an Orphan Drug for AIDS wasting syndrome, which also took place in FY 99-2000.
MAPS' work on behalf of MDMA research can be measured by whether approvals will be granted in FY 99-2000 for MDMA psychotherapy projects in the United States, Israel and Spain.
Educationally, MAPS reached out to more people than ever through its Bulletin, various web site projects, email discussion group, book publication efforts, and membership drive. MAPS supported the Psychedelic Elders conference and began planning a major international scientific conference on the clinical use of MDMA.
Financially, MAPS raised a substantial amount of money that enabled it to support a wide range of projects. MAPS' net assets were $351,701 as of May 31, 1999. Of these assets, $80,000 are restricted to specific research and educational projects and need to be subtracted from net assets when considering MAPS' unrestricted funds available for new projects or organizational expenses. These restricted sums will probably all be allocated in FY 99-2000.
MAPS' work load and range of projects increased, and with it the need to increase the amount of unrestricted donations that MAPS can use for organizational expenses. The disappointing results of the direct mail membership campaign means that MAPS needs to rely on its current members to remain supportive and to assist MAPS staff in outreach efforts to locate new people who share MAPS' vision and goals and are willing to become formally involved as new MAPS members. Current MAPS members are an unusual group of people willing to support efforts to make this vision of the beneficial uses of psychedelics and marijuana into a reality. After MAPS succeeds in obtaining FDA permission for psychedelic psychotherapy research in the United States, research which has not taken place for over 25 years, it may prove easier to motivate people to support MAPS and the projects for which it has managed to obtain approval.
This past year has been one of significant accomplishments, among the most important being the building of a more mutually satisfactory working relationship with the FDA. I hope and expect that FY 99-2000 will see a continued improvement in MAPS' relationship with regulatory bodies around the world.
Comments or questions from MAPS members concerning this annual report are invited. Only with the continued support of its members can MAPS build in FY 99-2000 on the efforts expended since MAPS was founded in 1986. MAPS is deeply grateful for the past generosity of MAPS' membership. We will do our best to be worthy of your renewed support.
MAPS' total expenditures in FY 98-99 were $280,194.
MAPS' net assets were $351,701 as of May 31, 1999. Of this amount, $80,000 is restricted to specific research and educational projects. These sums need to be subtracted from net assets when considering MAPS' unrestricted funds available for new projects or organizational expenses. MAPS' goal as a non-profit organization is not to increase its net assets, but to advance its mission. Nevetheless, having some net assets gives MAPS the ability to commit to support high- priority projects and gives a measure of stability in the face of fluctuating contributions from its membership.