The Regulatory Review Published Essays from Psychedelic Thought Leaders

The TDR Takeaways on the Regulatory Review Psychedelic Thought Leader Essays:

1. The initial portions of six scholarly essays on psychedelics, written by academics from various global institutions, have been released. 
2. These institutions include Harvard, Pennsylvania, Washington, Manchester, Melbourne, and Roger Williams. 
3. At TDR we will systematically examine each essay over the coming weeks, and share the key takeaways from each one with our readers.

Yesterday on LinkedIn, Matt Brockmeier, a lawyer and psychedelic thought leader, shared an insightful piece by Joshua Siegel, an adjunct faculty member at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Siegel’s article, published in the Penn Program on Regulation at the University of Pennsylvania, was titled “Are Psychedelics Safe Enough for Recreational Use?” This article is part of a broader six-part series called “Global Perspectives on Psychedelics Regulation.”

The Regulatory Review has gathered scholars from across the globe to discuss various approaches to psychedelic regulation. These psychedelic thought leaders examine different regulatory models, aiming to balance safety with access to psychedelic drugs. Through international perspectives, they illuminate challenges for policymakers and suggest potential reforms.

So, what are the six essays? Although only three have been released so far, they provide valuable insights. The released essays include:

1. “Branching Regulatory Paths and Dead Ends in Psychedelics” by I. Glenn Cohen from Harvard Law School, discussing the benefits and challenges of current psychedelic regulatory paths.
2. “A Roadmap to Reimbursement for Psychedelics” by Molly Candon at the University of Pennsylvania, which argues for insurance reimbursement as essential for the accessibility of psychedelic therapy.
3. “Are Psychedelics Safe Enough for Recreational Use?” by Joshua Siegel, focusing on the relatively low risks associated with psychedelics and considerations for policymakers.

The forthcoming essays are:

1. “Why We Need To Talk About Psychedelic Dispensaries” by Victoria Litman at Roger Williams University School of Law, advocating for dispensaries to address the regulatory gaps in psychedelics and enhance public health.
2. “It Is High Time the U.K. Changes Psychedelics Laws” by Joanna Neill at the University of Manchester, urging legislative changes to facilitate psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy research.
3. “A New Era of Psychedelic Medicine in Australia” by Daniel Perkins at the University of Melbourne, outlining a new regulatory framework for medicinal psychedelic substances like MDMA and psilocybin.

This ongoing series provides a platform for psychedelic thought leaders to share their knowledge and insights, fostering a better understanding of how to effectively regulate this emerging field. In the coming days I will provide some highlights regarding each essay about what we can take away from these thought leaders. I am grateful for these excellent pieces of writing. Want to keep up to date with all of TDR’s research and news, subscribe to our daily Baked In newsletter.