Psychedelic Bar Association

I had the distinct pleasure and honor of speaking about Islam and Psychedelics at Harvard Law School's interdisciplinary symposium, titled "Psychedelics and Monotheistic Traditions: Sacramental Practice and Legal Recognition." Our panel brought together a diverse group of individuals—clinical trial participants, academic researchers, legal experts, and personal practitioners—all united by our shared identity as Muslims. It was a profound experience to represent and advocate for our community within one of the world's most historic and influential institutions. Our conversation explored themes of representation, Muslim community attitudes towards psychedelics, harm reduction, inclusion, and much more. (I hope to share the recording once it becomes available!) I began my presentation with a lighthearted remark: "Hello, fellow children of Abraham. Here we are, together at last!" While intended as a joke, those words also reflected a deeper truth—the sacred opportunity to gather as Muslims, Jews, and Christians, united by our faith traditions, a commitment to healing, the exploration of psychedelics, and academic inquiry. ?I concluded my presentation with a prayer: "May we borrow from each other, learn from one another, and build a world of spiritual growth and healing together." The experience was both intellectually stimulating and spiritually enriching. I am deeply grateful to have been part of this meaningful dialogue and to contribute to an evolving conversation that bridges tradition, mental health, and community. Special thanks to my fellow panelists Fayzan Rab, Ismail Lourido Ali, Sughra Ahmed, Hena Malik Basak, and Kamal Abu-Shamsieh, PhD. And many thanks to Noah Feldman and Jay Michaelson for organizing this paradigm shifting symposium!

I wrote this open letter today and hope it sheds light on those lawyers and firms that dare to aspire to the more beautiful world our hearts know is possible. ..."I aspire to something better for the end of prohibition than "this is a business"; for lawyers to aspire to something more alive and more compelling than being auto mechanics for a profit machine.? For me, I can say that this aspiration comes from touching the truth of an interconnectedness of my own existence to the reality of all being that is so deep and profound it is (thankfully) beyond comprehension."... Ariel Clark

Just before Thanksgiving we hosted our first “Municipal Immersion” event in Atlantic City. We invited municipal leaders and counsel, who were in town to attend the Annual Conference of the New Jersey State League of Municipalities, to learn about psilocybin therapy and New Jersey Senate Bill 2283, the “Psilocybin Behavioral Health Services and Access Act.” Opening remarks were given by New Jersey State Senator Holly Schepisi, a co-sponsor of the Psilocybin Bill, who shared a personal story which expressed her passion and support for the Bill.? Thanks to Victoria Sinisi and David M. White for their assistance. The “Immersion” part of the event was presented by Dr Jason Konner, a leading Medical Oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering, Denise Rue, MA, MFA, MSW founder of the NJ Psychedelic Therapy Association, and Neal Usatin, an independent film editor/producer. They played the roles of physician, facilitator, and patient, respectively, and offered an accurate and touching glimpse into the psilocybin therapy patient’s journey as proposed by the Bill.? Closing remarks were given by Victor Bohm of Balanced Veterans Network who shared his work with Veterans emphasizing the importance of providing them with access to legal psychedelic therapies. Robert (Bobby) Brier of NJ Spotlight News was in attendance, covering the event, and we appreciate his write up. A special thanks to Ronald Mondello, Theresa Brumble, Mollie Hartman Lustig, Esq., Natalie Lupiani, and Brittany Ann Bonetti? for all of your help leading up to and during the event. We look forward to continuing this work in the coming year, planting the seeds for change on the municipal level.? Joseph Shapiro, Esq. Sara Price, BSN, RN, NC-BC

Should homebound disabled and dying Oregonians have reasonable accommodation to access psilocybin services under Oregon's Psilocybin Services Act? "If Oregon created a program that allowed medical use of psilocybin in service centers but prohibited wheelchairs or guide dogs from entering the service centers, would the court conclude that it cannot enforce the ADA because of the CSA? No, a federal court simply orders ADA-mandated access." The State defends the discriminatory exclusion of these Oregonians in a filing this week in a Motion to Dismiss. On behalf of the Plaintiff Facilitators we will continue to advocate for reasonable accommodation. Cusker et al. v. OHA, 6:24-cv-00998( U.S. District Court Oregon).

Exciting news! The USPTO has issued non-final rejections for all claims in recent U.S. patent applications concerning psilocybin microdosing citing prior art submitted by Porta Sophia. These applications posed a threat to public access to low-dose psilocybin, an area long established in the public domain. Our submissions, including peer-reviewed articles and international patents, helped prove that the claims lacked novelty and were obvious. This result underscores the power of third-party submissions to protect the public domain. Learn more by heading to https://loom.ly/R9L41Yg