Overview
Consider psychedelic drug's social, political, economic and physiological impact. With your understanding of its impact and current policy and practices, consider alternatives that reflect both their social effects. Using a multidisciplinary approach, each student will create a policy that reforms current legal standing and access to drug availability. Answer the following questions: 1) What is the pharmacological profile of the drug and is there any evidence for social harm or benefit from use of this drug class? 2) How does the form of drug administration and pattern of use contribute to harmful or therapeutic profiles? 3) How does one’s positionality (race/ethnicity, class, gender, sexuality, ability, age) and access to mental health resources impact drug use? 4) How does the media represent the popularity and danger of this specific drug use? 5) How does the criminal justice system treat those who use this drug? 6) How are State and penal responses impacted by positionality (i.e., one’s race/ethnicity, residency, socioeconomic status, gender, etc.) 7) How does the actual biological impact of the drug compare to the societal response? Students will also need to consider the impact on society for restricting access to an already available drug, such as nicotine. Students will also think about the possibility of different Schedules for different preparations of drugs (e.g., Should coca leaves be lower schedule than cocaine powder? Should beer and wine be lower schedule than distilled liquor? Should any of these be restricted at all?).