Anthropology

Australia could be the first country to legalise…[MDMA]

…to see pharmaceutical-grade MDMA in a safe dose starting off being distributed through pharmacies… would want to see the pharmacies requiring proof of age of the person who wants to purchase the MDMA. Drug prohibition has failed. We’ve now got scores of former prime ministers, former presidents, and even serving prime ministers and presidents recognising…

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Politics

Congressional bill would protect students from losing financial aid over drug convictions

Titled the Financial Aid Fairness for Students Act, or FAFSA Act. It would repeal a law that renders students ineligible for federal loans, grants and work-study assistance if they’ve been convicted of possessing or selling drugs. Besides repealing the anti-drug penalty itself, the legislation would add a section stipulating that the Secretary of Education could…

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Psychology

…psychedelics heal without psychotherapy…

Therapists are a welcome and complementary addition to the psychedelic community. For many, they may deepen insights and support difficult emotions that arise in psychedelic healing processes. However, they should not attempt to assert themselves as the only conduit for psychedelic healing and/or gatekeepers of psychedelics in our society. Some have even suggested it unethical…

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Modern Culture

Berkeley might become second city in the country to decriminalize… [all entheogenic plants and fungi on schedule 1]

“It is time to end the war on entheogenic plants and fungi.” Under Berkeley’s proposed resolution, police would still be able to enforce criminal penalties against people who are under 21, as well as anyone found to be commercially manufacturing or selling these entheogenic substances. Berkeley City Council will consider a measure that would forbid city…

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Spirituality

Ayahuasca: tradition versus tourism

The ayahuasca tourist in search of a deep cosmic insight often fails to understand the importance of the cultural context in which the… [plants are] used. This parallels with the European discovery of tobacco in the sixteenth century; an attitude of disregard and criticism of the intended herbal ritualistic use. The traditional uses of tobacco…

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Science

…psilocybin producing E. coli

…engineered bacteria to produce psilocybin in their cells and poop it out. This is a biosynthesis process that relies on changing cells so they will produce compounds they don’t naturally produce, or in quantities they don’t naturally produce. Original Article (Science Alert):Scientists Engineered a Bacterium That Poops Out Huge Amounts of Psilocybin Artwork Fair Use:…

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Science

…E. coli producing psilocybin

…engineered bacteria to produce psilocybin in their cells and poop it out. This is a biosynthesis process that relies on changing cells so they will produce compounds they don’t naturally produce, or in quantities they don’t naturally produce. Original Article (Science Alert):Scientists Engineered a Bacterium That Poops Out Huge Amounts of Psilocybin Artwork Fair Use:…

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Biography/Memoir

Marijuana companies urged Governor to ban… home cultivation, document shows. [are… psilocybin companies doing the same, now?]

Home growing – seen by many as a commonsense policy that ensures access to cannabis for individuals who can’t afford retail prices, live too far… or just want to flex their green thumbs– …a chapter titled “The Fallacy of Home Grow” makes very specific—and, in the eyes of advocates, misleading—arguments against allowing… cultivation for personal use.…

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Biography/Memoir

Purdue Pharma family profits from sale of resorts in regions plagued by opioid crisis

Richard Sackler did not comment for this story. Family representatives declined to comment publicly. Purdue Pharma, which created vast wealth for the family, filed for bankruptcy Sept. 15.  Some members of the billionaire Sackler family — the owners of Purdue Pharma, the company widely blamed for fueling America’s opioid crisis — will reap about $60…

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