PT405 – Melissa Lavasani – The Psychedelic Medicine PAC: The Push for Federal Funding and Politicians Who Will Fight for Us
Psychedelics Today
Psychedelics Today, LLC
4.6 • 598 Ratings
🗓️ 14 April 2023
⏱️ 92 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
In this episode, Joe interviews Melissa Lavasani: CEO of Washington, DC-based Psychedelic Medicine Coalition and now, President of the brand new Psychedelic Medicine PAC.
She discusses her path to psychedelics, how she ended up running the Initiative 81 campaign (the Entheogenic Plant and Fungus Policy Act of 2020), and how she came to realize that decriminalization efforts can't be the only option we go for – that, like it or not, we live in a system where politics and money are major factors behind any systematic change, and if we want to make any headway, we have to play the game. The Psychedelic Medicine PAC (Political Action Committee) was created to open up federal funding for psychedelic research, as nearly all research today (of which there still isn't enough) is being funded by private companies. They will use donations to support politicians who are on our side and can advance psychedelic progress, who will push for federal funding to get the new and necessary data people who aren't bought in yet need to see.
They talk about speaking with people from the other side of the aisle at a recent education campaign in DC; how federal funding is neutral money; what she learned from DC's deprioritization of cannabis policing; how personal stories and one-on-one human connection can change minds better than traditional confrontational activism; and the need to get ahead of the inevitable wave of big pharma propaganda they'll bring when they officially step up to the table. She believes the path to helping the most people is advancing science and data through federal funding, and that begins with education and getting more politicians on our side. If you agree, follow them for details about their upcoming event in May, visit their table at Psychedelic Science this June (use PT15 for 15% off tickets), and donate to the PAC or the coalition.
Also, as a bonus, this episode begins with a mini version of Psychedelics Weekly. Joe and Kyle didn't have enough time to record a full episode, but still wanted to check in and review a few notable stories and highlight our recent Vital graduation ceremony. See you next week!
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Have you wondered why psychedelics like psilocybin, ketamine, LSD, MDMA and others have such profound effects on the mind and consciousness itself? |
| 0:09.2 | The answer lies within the fascinating world of neuroscience. |
| 0:13.5 | Introducing our brand new eight-week live taught online course, Psychedelic Neuroscience Demystified, |
| 0:20.2 | how psychedelics alter consciousness and produce |
| 0:23.4 | therapeutic effects. With guest teachers and psychedelic neuroscience experts, Melanie Pinkus, PhD, |
| 0:29.4 | and Manesh Gern, PhD, this course will help you gain a solid understanding of the key concepts, |
| 0:36.5 | principles and processes, and the cutting-edge |
| 0:39.1 | neuroscience research and evidence-based practical applications for psychedelic therapy. |
| 0:45.0 | You'll also have the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals in your learning |
| 0:49.8 | group and engage in meaningful discussions about this emerging field. |
| 0:53.8 | So whether you're a mental health professional researcher |
| 0:56.1 | or simply interested in expanding your personal and professional knowledge, |
| 1:00.8 | this course is designed for anyone looking to demystify the neuroscience |
| 1:05.1 | underlying psychedelic therapy. |
| 1:07.7 | Classes start May 17th, |
| 1:10.0 | and you can find out more information and enroll at |
| 1:12.7 | Psychedelic Education Center.com. Join us on a journey of the mind on psychedelics. Hi, everybody. Welcome back to Secchi Alex today. Joe here, joined by Kyle. How's it going, Kyle? |
| 1:35.7 | Pretty good, Joe. Can't complain. It's sunny out here in Colorado and warming up and just excited to be out here. |
| 1:41.4 | For those of you who are not watching us on YouTube or on video, we're in person today. |
| 1:45.8 | And Kyle spent a little bit of time in Colorado. |
| 1:48.9 | Really excited about it. |
| 1:49.9 | So before we dig in, well, actually before that, today's guest is Melissa Lavasani, |
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