Newsletter: October 2022 - Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies

Final Call for Submissions: Frontiers in Psychiatry Special Edition

October 21, 2022

We are accepting submissions for papers to be included in MDMA-Assisted Therapy for Treatment of PTSD and Beyond, a dedicated research topic for an upcoming publication of Frontiers in Psychiatry. The goal of this research topic is to broaden the scientific literature on MDMA across disciplines. Studies are needed to provide guidance on the dissemination of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD, future research directions for MDMA-assisted therapy including investigation of other indications, and theoretical frameworks and models of biological mechanisms to explain the therapeutic effects of MDMA-assisted therapy.

We welcome original research, review, and systematic review papers. Themes of particular interest include:

Health economics assessments
Health equity assessments
Replication studies on PTSD
Investigation of other indications
Theoretical frameworks
Biological mechanisms

This is a unique opportunity to include your work in the field of psychedelic science! The deadline for abstract submissions is November 1, 2022. Submit your paper using this link.

Statement: Biden Administration Plans to Pardon Prior Federal Offenses of Simple Marijuana Possession
On October 6, the White House released a statement that President Joe Biden “will grant a pardon to all people convicted of simple marijuana possession under federal law” and “urged governors to take similar actions for state offenses of civil possession on marijuana.” Additionally, Biden took the first step necessary for Administrative rescheduling of marjiuna, directing the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Attorney General to expedite review processes of how marijuana is considered under federal law.

In a statement released by our team, Ismail Lourido Ali, J.D., MAPS Director of Policy and Advocacy, said the following:

We applaud the Biden Administration for taking these incremental steps in the right direction toward ending the War on Drugs and the people who use them. America’s long-standing history of criminalizing drug users is an unjust political reality that affects everyone, and disproportionately affects Black, Brown, and poor people. Today, thanks to advancements on cannabis policy across the country and world, there are likely fewer people federally arrested or incarcerated solely for simple possession of marijuana than in the recent past. However, this step towards reforming the criminal legal system is one that should be commended.

Biden’s further directive to expeditiously review marijuana’s classification in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act is applauded by all who understand that the evidence demonstrates cannabis should be removed from the Controlled Substances Act entirely. Earlier this year, MAPS worked toward and then celebrated the appointment of a full slate of Commissioners to the United States Sentencing Commission (USSC). With a full slate of Commissioners to the United States Sentencing confirmed and today’s actions from President Biden, MAPS looks forward to an ongoing effort to reduce the disparities and penalties for all drug charges in the federal criminal justice system.”

Dr. Carl Hart recently shared an additional perspective that we appreciate, which can be read in this Twitter thread from October 13, 2022.

MAPS Attends ICPR 2022

On Saturday, September 24, 2022, MAPS Founder and Executive Director Rick Doblin, Ph.D., spoke at the Interdisciplinary Conference on Psychedelic Research 2022 in Haarlem, the Netherlands, organized by OPEN Foundation. Rick’s talk was entitled “MDMA: From Therapy Drug to Party Drug Back to Therapy Drug and Beyond.” Speakers from MAPS PBC included Chief Operating Officer Mike Mullette speaking on “MDMA-assisted therapy – the road to patient access” and Chief Medical Officer Corine de Boer, M.D., Ph.D on “MDMA-assisted therapy clinical trials in PTSD in Europe: an update.”

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!

Psychedelic Fundamentals Course

$29.99

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MAPS, MAPS PBC, and MAPS Europe Are Hiring
Check our careers page to apply for one of our many open job positions or refer a friend! 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

Psychedelic Science 2023 is fast approaching! 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, explore the agenda, or book a hotel to secure the best rates.

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Have a happy Halloween!