Scientific and commercial interest in psychedelics is exploding. In the flood of news about drug companies, clinical trials, and state and federal regulation, one might overlook the spiritual use of psychedelics. However, spiritual use long predates Western scientific applications and is seemingly expanding. The trend raises difficult questions for lawyers, ethicists, and religious practitioners. This in-person conference at Harvard Law School emphasizes the spiritual aspects of psychedelic experience. Speakers will explore the complex relationships between psychedelics, religious communities, courts, Congress, and federal agencies. They will discuss how psychedelic law previously impacted spiritual practice and how it should in the future.

Program

1:10 – 1:30 PM, Keynote Address

1:30 – 3:00 PM, Panel 1: Psychedelics in Practice: Navigating Law and Spirituality

Practitioners in various disciplines will share insights on the challenges of working at the intersection of psychedelics, spirituality, and law. 

• Rick Doblin, Founder and President, Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) 
• Jaime Clark-Soles, Professor of New Testament Altshuler Distinguished Teaching Professor Director, Baptist House of Studies, Southern Methodist University; PULSE Affiliated Fellow 
• John Rapp, Terrapin Legal; Salzhauer and Shortt 
• Moderator: Victoria Litman, Visiting Professor of Law, Roger Williams University School of Law; Fellow in Psychedelic Law and Spirituality, Petrie-Flom Center

3:00 – 3:15 PM, Break

3:15 – 4:45 PM, Panel 2: Academic Perspectives on Religion, Law, and Psychedelics

Legal and religious scholars will discuss how constitutional doctrine, drug law, and bioethics affect the spiritual use of psychedelics.

• David Pozen, Charles Keller Beekman Professor of Law, Columbia Law School 
• Caroline Mala Corbin, Professor of Law, University of Miami School of Law 
• Deepak Sarma, Case Western Reserve University, PULSE Affiliated Fellow 
• Moderator: Mason Marks, Florida State University College of Law; Harvard Law School Petrie Flom Center

4:45 – 5:00 PM, Closing Remarks

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This event is sponsored by the Mahindra Humanities Center’s Study of Psychedelics in Society and Culture with support from the Project on Psychedelics Law and Regulation (POPLAR) at the Petrie-Flom Center for Health Law Policy, Biotechnology, and Bioethics at Harvard Law School. This research is supported by the Gracias Family Foundation