MAPS, in Coordination with Allies, Assists U.S. Sentencing Commission in Reaching Quorum
August 24, 2022
The middle of August brought an exciting milestone for MAPS! On August 17, we celebrated the appointment of a full slate of Commissioners to the United States Sentencing Commission (USSC). The bipartisan group of seven Commissioners, appointed by President Biden and confirmed by the Senate, allows the USSC to reach quorum and conduct its congressionally mandated activities for the first time since 2019.
The MAPS Policy and Advocacy team coordinated a bipartisan coalition that met with U.S. Senators and monitored the progress of the confirmation process. Now that the slate is confirmed, MAPS looks forward to an ongoing effort to reduce disparities and penalties for drug charges in the federal criminal justice system. Read our full press release here.
Psychedelic Fundamentals: Sign Up for MAPS Digital Learning Series
Sign up for Psychedelic Fundamentals, the first course in the new MAPS Digital Learning series! This introductory course will guide you through the basics of psychedelics via a series of short, easy-to-follow lessons. The course takes just a few hours and provides students with an overview of the most interesting and important aspects of psychedelic history, science, clinical research, therapeutic uses, and harm reduction, backed by over 36 years of MAPS history as an institution of psychedelic education.
In-depth courses on integration, peer support, and more are in development.
Use code HTCYM for 25% off registration for Psychedelic Fundamentals or pre-orders of other MAPS Digital Learning courses, coming soon!
Vote for MAPS PBC’s South by Southwest (SXSW) Panel
SXSW 2023 will feature a variety of tracks focused on the most important breakthroughs in technology, film, culture and music. We’re excited to share that community voting for SXSW panels is officially open! Voting closes August 21st. We invite you to browse proposals, leave comments, and vote for MAPS PBC’s CEO Amy Emerson’s session on IP & The Rights of Plant Medicine.
MAPS-Sponsored Research Highlights
Incredible progress has been made in MAPS-sponsored research studies this month. Five participants are now enrolled in our Phase 2 study at the Bronx, New York Veterans Affairs Medical Center, our food effect on bioavailability of MDMA in healthy volunteers study (MPKF) opened for enrollment, and our MDMA Therapy Training Program is hosting new training sessions this fall. Scroll down to the Research News section of this Newsletter to read more.
MAPS, MAPS PBC, and MAPS Europe Are Hiring
Check out our Careers page to refer a friend or apply for one of our many open job positions! All of our organizations — MAPS, MAPS Public Benefit Corporation, and MAPS Europe — are hiring for full-time roles from development to clinical science to regulatory compliance. Don’t see a position that fits your skill set? You can submit a general application to MAPS PBC.
Register for Psychedelic Science 2023

Mark your calendars for Psychedelic Science 2023! Join us from June 17-25, 2023, in Denver, Colorado, where MAPS members, researchers, students, clinicians, therapists, political leaders, leaders and shareholders of for-profit psychedelic companies, and psychedelic enthusiasts will gather from around the world to discuss the latest advances in psychedelic research, art, and culture. Sign up for exclusive email updates to receive news, schedules, and more details.
Horizons Conferences in Portland and New York City

The Horizons Center Public Benefit Corporation has announced the debut of Horizons Northwest, a new conference featuring five days of learning, connection, and community that explores the many dimensions of psychedelics. Horizons Northwest will take place from September 13-18, 2022, at the Portland Art Museum in Portland, Oregon. During the event, MAPS Director of Policy Ismail Ali, J.D., will speak about MAPS’ current progress within the field.
Horizons: Perspectives on Psychedelics will take place for the 15th consecutive year in New York City from October 12-16, 2022. Horizons NYC is the longest-running annual psychedelic event in the world with five days of sessions, speakers, forums, and workshops.
As a proud community ally, MAPS is excited to share coupon code MAPS-NW-15 for our supporters to receive 15% off registration for Horizons Northwest and MAPS-NY-15 for 15% off registration for Horizons New York.
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We announce more exciting updates every single month! Forward the MAPS Newsletter to a friend and ask them to subscribe to our email list.
Research News
Five Participants Enrolled in Phase 2 Study at the Bronx, New York Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Food Effect on Bioavailability of MDMA in Healthy Volunteers Study (MPKF) Open for Enrollment
MDMA Therapy Training Program Update: August 2022
Support MAPS
July 2022 Giving Report: Donors Give Over $118,000 to Psychedelic Research and Education
Psychedelic Peer Support
Zendo Project Prepares to Provide Peer Support at Burning Man 2022: New Talk and Return of Psychedelic Speaker Series
MAPS in the Media
- Entrepreneur: The Burgeoning Psychedelics Industry Is Full of Money and Good Intentions. But Can It Avoid All Of Cannabis’s Mistakes?
- Bloomberg: With Magic Mushrooms, Small Businesses Lead, Hoping Laws Will Follow
- FOX News Radio – Kennedy Saves the World Podcast: Congressman Crenshaw Saves Vets From PTSD
- Intelligent Living: MDMA Group Therapy Trial for PTSD Set to Begin
- Robb Report: Good Trip? How Psychiatrists Got Serious About Using Psychedelics to Treat Mental Health
- NBC NewsNow [VIDEO]: Ben Sessa and Dr. Michael Mithoefer talk “How To Change Your Mind”
MAPS Store
Events
Psychedelic Science 2023, June 17-25, 2023, Denver, Colorado
Horizons Northwest: Perspectives on Psychedelics, September 13-18, 2022, Portland, Oregon (Use Code MAPS-NW-15 for 15% Off)
Horizons New York: Perspectives on Psychedelics, October 12-16, 2022, New York, New York (Use Code MAPS-NY-15 for 15% Off)
Polaris Insight Center: Ongoing Training and Retreats
Integrative Psychiatry Institute Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Training, July 2022 – May 2023
Psilocybin Conference, From A to Z, September 20-21, 2022, Online
Interdisciplinary Conference on Psychedelic Research 2022, September 22-24, 2022, Haarlem, Netherlands (Use Code RICK100 for €100 Off)
Psychedelic Psychotherapy Forum, September 29 – October 2, 2022, Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
Emergence: A Psychedelic Education Festival, October 1, 2022, Denver, Colorado
Common Ground: Gala to End Veteran Suicide, Coronado, California, November 11, 2022
More News

The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture by Gabor Maté, M.D.
Available September 13
Thank you to Dr. Bronner’s for their support of the MAPS Newsletter!