Drug Policy Reform Episodes
Discover insights on drug policy, decriminalization, harm reduction, and cannabis legalization efforts.
106: Taylor West on advancing psychedelic policy, aligning incentives with humanity, and mindful parenting
SHOW NOTES: Watch this episode on YouTube https://youtu.be/NO9xrHpgBOc In Episode 106 of People Are the Answer, Taylor West, Executive Director of the Healing Advocacy Fund, joins Jeffrey Zucker to discuss her path from political advocacy to pioneering work in psychedelic-assisted therapy policy. Taylor opens up about the human side of policymaking, the challenges and revelations of parenting, and her vision for realigning economic incentives to better serve humanity. A powerful conversation on healing, storytelling, and purposeful change. Chapters: 0:00 - Intro Clip 1:26 - Introductions 2:35 - What Motivates You? 6:28 - Where did you grow up? 14:42 - Policy Reform 19:50 - First Steps Post College 29:21 - Political Campaigning 35:52 - Legalization of Adult Use Cannabis 44:36 - Psychedelics 57:19 - Healing Advocacy Fund 1:07:16 - Finding Balance 1:14:14 - When Work Affected Change 1:17:23 - Ask Jeff a Question 1:20:59 - Most Grateful for 1:29:27 - Snap Your Fingers 1:33:41 - How to Support Taylor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylor-west-34736455/ Healing Advocacy Fund: https://www.linkedin.com/company/healing-advocacy-fund/ https://healingadvocacyfund.org/ Host: Jeffrey M. Zucker Producer: Kait Grey Editor: Nick Case Recording date: 4/9/25 Â đź“Ł Share your story to support the movement đź’¬ Subscribe for more human-centered conversations
102: Dr. Rick Doblin on activism, psychedelics, epigenetics, and generational trauma
Dr. Rick Doblin, founder of Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), and Jeff Zucker discuss activism, psychedelics, epigenetics, generational trauma, and more. Watch this episode on YouTube https://youtu.be/xlsVDPRvDtE Chapters: 0:00 - Intro 2:34 - People are the Answer 4:37 - Put it Into Practice 5:56 - Intention 10:24 - Fear and Motivation 12:05 - What Motivates You? 19:45 - How Relatives Coped with the Holocaust 24:36 - Epigenetics of Trauma 26:29 - Giving Back in Early Life 33:43 - Global Spirituality 39:49 - What Lead to Starting MAPS? 52:44 - How Do We Move Forward with MDMA? 57:08 - State Level an Option? 1:00:28 - MAPS Cannabis Project 1:02:18 - Medical Cannabis in SC 1:05:02 - How Do You Avoid Burnout? 1:07:18 - What is MAPS Working on Now? 1:11:04 - Oregon Recriminalization 1:13:17 - Snap Your Fingers 1:15:26 - How to Support Rick Doblin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickdoblin/ https://www.instagram.com/rickdoblinphd/ MAPS: https://maps.org/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/mapsnews/ https://www.instagram.com/maps__org/ https://www.facebook.com/mapsmdma https://twitter.com/MAPS https://www.youtube.com/c/mapsmdma https://www.reddit.com/user/MAPSPsychedelic/?rdt=36196 Host: Jeffrey M. Zucker Producer: Kait Grey Editor: Nick Case Recording date: 12/3/24
88: Ethan Nadelmann on his educational journey through Harvard, transitioning from Middle Eastern politics to drug policy, and more.
In this episode, Ethan and Jeff discuss receiving multiple degrees from Harvard, his transition from Middle Eastern politics to drug policy, orchestrating vast changes in drug policy issues, podcasting, and more. Watch this episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/6OHOqD8W5jI Learn more: Host: Jeffrey M. Zucker Producer: Kait Grey Editor: Nick Case Recording date: 12/20/23 Ethan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethannadelmann/ https://www.instagram.com/enadelmann/ https://www.ted.com/talks/ethan_nadelmann_why_we_need_to_end_the_war_on_drugs DPA: https://www.linkedin.com/company/drug-policy-alliance/ https://drugpolicy.org/ https://www.instagram.com/drugpolicyalliance https://www.tiktok.com/@drugpolicyalliance https://twitter.com/DrugPolicyOrg https://www.facebook.com/drugpolicy https://www.youtube.com/@DrugPolicyAlliance Resources for Israel: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1RbzoBNQojr7j5cEP0x5yNqppF9CiVXXgDtkuLdvnryc/edit?usp=sharing Other: Psychoactive Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/0pfK53IF7WhEWtntXAFQ4W https://www.thefire.org/ Bio: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethan_Nadelmann Chapters: 0:00 - Intro 7:25 - Education & Harvard Discourse 14:26 - International Drug Policy 17:55 - Early Experience with Drugs 27:23 - What Drug Policy Needs Now 36:08 - Drug Policy Alliance 47:54 - Becoming Drug Policy Alliance 53:49 - Accomplishments 1:07:58 - A Question for Jeff 1:20:37 - Psychoactive Podcast 1:26:10 - Snap Your Fingers 1:33:34 - How to Support
85.2: Host Jeffrey M. Zucker on criminal justice reform, drug policy, and what's next
We continue this week with part 2 of a very special episode as our producer Kait Grey sits down with our host and podcast creator Jeffrey M. Zucker, as they discuss his work in start-ups, movie production, and more of his advocacy work in drug policy and criminal justice reform. If you missed last week’s post, head back an episode to part 1 where we discuss his growing up in the South, the incredible legacy his parents bestowed on him, and his early endeavors in hospitality. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/eSGC8WB2ssI Learn more: Host: Kait Grey Producer: Kait Grey Editor: Nick Case Recording Date 9/7/23 Personal: https://www.instagram.com/jeffzucker/ https://x.com/jeffzucker https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreyzucker/ Companies: https://www.instagram.com/peoplearetheanswer/ https://www.instagram.com/dipdevices/ http://peoplearetheanswer.com http://saltshaker.com http://greenlionpartners.com https://www.bigsmits.com/ https://dipdevices.com/ https://www.thelategame.com/ TLG Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFVjH5SsQyc Other resources: https://www.mpp.org/ https://ssdp.org/ https://maps.org/about-maps/ https://rocketclub.com/ Bio: Jeffrey M. Zucker is a serial entrepreneur born and raised in Charleston, SC and currently living in Denver, CO. He graduated from Boston University’s Questrom School of Business, where he founded multiple successful real estate businesses through Saltshaker Holdings, the operating company he founded and runs as President and CEO. Jeffrey’s other endeavors include film production, cannabis, hospitality, tech, and more. His notable companies include Green Lion Partners and Big Smits Entertainment. Additionally, Jeffrey, who serves as the Vice Chair of the Board of the Marijuana Policy Project, is a philanthropist in the areas of Drug Policy and Criminal Justice Reform, healthcare, and education. His business decisions are determined not only based upon making a profit, but also—inspired by his late father’s mission of Tikkun Olam (repair the world)—with the goal of improving the lives of others as much as possible. Additionally, Jeffrey hosts the podcast People are the Answer where he interviews innovators in social impact. Jeffrey is happy to get involved with projects, people, and ideas in which he believes. His business decisions are determined not only based upon making a profit, but also—inspired by his late father’s mission of Tikkun Olam (repair of the world)—with the goal of improving the lives of others as much as possible. Episode 2 Chapters: 2:11 - America Israel Cannabis Association 8:55 - Saltshaker Holdings 11:21 - Green Lion Partners & Dip Devices 18:03 - BU/GLP Cannabis Annual Competition 22:46 - Big Smits Entertainment 29:40 - The Late Game 34:33 - More on Dip Devices & Green Lion Innovations 36:45 - People are the Answer Podcast 44:02 - MPP & Drug Policy 58:11 - MAPS 1:04:35 - Dawg Nation 1:08:16 - When Work Affected Change 1:12:39 - Mentor 1:16:24 - Ask Kait a Question 1:23:44 - Most Grateful For 1:24:42 - Snap Your Fingers 1:27:07 - How to Support
85.1: Host Jeffrey M. Zucker on early entrepreneurship, hockey roots
In this episode, Jeffrey and Kait discuss his growing up in the South and starting his career young at the Carolina Ice Palace, the incredible legacy his parents bestowed on him, and lessons learned while being a young entrepreneur in hospitality. We talk about his work in cannabis, as well as his advocacy work in drug policy and criminal justice reform. We also cover his goals for this podcast and his forthcoming movie, The Late Game…episode 2 coming next week. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/hC3BlY5QvKA Learn more: Host: Kait Grey Producer: Kait Grey Editor: Nick Case Recording date: 9/6/23 Personal: https://www.instagram.com/jeffzucker/ https://x.com/jeffzucker https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreyzucker/ Companies: https://www.instagram.com/peoplearetheanswer/ https://www.instagram.com/dipdevices/ http://peoplearetheanswer.com http://saltshaker.com http://greenlionpartners.com https://www.bigsmits.com/ https://dipdevices.com/ https://www.thelategame.com/ TLG Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFVjH5SsQyc Other resources: https://www.mpp.org/ https://ssdp.org/ https://maps.org/about-maps/ https://rocketclub.com/ Ep 60 - Aloe Blacc - https://youtu.be/d4MqLu2WrKc?si=iKJtJP7HfUjHjyJz Fat Cuz - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Fw-kjbfGfo Bio: Jeffrey M. Zucker is a serial entrepreneur born and raised in Charleston, SC and currently living in Denver, CO. He graduated from Boston University’s Questrom School of Business, where he founded multiple successful real estate businesses through Saltshaker Holdings, the operating company he founded and runs as President and CEO. Jeffrey’s other endeavors include film production, cannabis, hospitality, tech, and more. His notable companies include Green Lion Partners and Big Smits Entertainment. Additionally, Jeffrey, who serves as the Vice Chair of the Board of the Marijuana Policy Project, is a philanthropist in the areas of Drug Policy and Criminal Justice Reform, healthcare, and education. His business decisions are determined not only based upon making a profit, but also—inspired by his late father’s mission of Tikkun Olam (repair the world)—with the goal of improving the lives of others as much as possible. Additionally, Jeffrey hosts the podcast People are the Answer where he interviews innovators in social impact. Jeffrey is happy to get involved with projects, people, and ideas in which he believes. His business decisions are determined not only based upon making a profit, but also—inspired by his late father’s mission of Tikkun Olam (repair of the world)—with the goal of improving the lives of others as much as possible. Episode 1 Chapters: 0:00 - Cannabis Consumption 4:12 - Intro 8:38 - Importance of Giving Back 11:50 - Jerry Zucker 16:15 - Early Career 23:22 - Carolina Ice Palace 30:03 - Education 37:08 - Internships 53:22 - Hodara Property Management 57:34 - Pizza Persona 1:10:00 - The InterTech Group 1:13:02 - Leaflist & the Cannabis Industry
83: Madison Margolin on Journalism and her Jewish Psychedelic Journey
In this episode, Madison and Jeffrey discuss her Hindu-influenced Jewish upbringing, how she became a journalist, the important role psychedelics have played in her life and Judaism, her living part-time in Israel and being there during the start of the current war, her book, and much more… Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/LP561tXLBfA Learn more: Host: Jeffrey M. Zucker Producer: Kait Grey Editor: Nick Case Recording date: 10/27/23 https://twitter.com/margolinmadison https://www.instagram.com/madisonmargolin https://www.madisonmargolin.com/ https://ayinpress.org/ https://beherenownetwork.com/category/madison/ Other resources: Exile & Ecstasy: Growing Up with Ram Dass and Coming of Age in the Jewish Psychedelic Underground Amazon: https://hayhs.com/ee_pp_pb_az Amazon Kindle: https://hayhs.com/ee_pp_eb_az Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/3MCeu6q Bookshop.org: https://bit.ly/3MXvYvF Booktopia: https://bit.ly/45yoGWc Books-A-Million: https://bit.ly/3N6Ux9D Waterstones: https://bit.ly/42drIw9 Indigo: https://bit.ly/4282uzl Bio: Best way to contact me is through the contact form on my website: madisonmargolin.com I'm a writer specializing in psychedelics and cannabis. I also cover Jewish life, science, and other drugs. Based between New York and California, I have written for Rolling Stone, Playboy Magazine, The Progressive Magazine, High Times Magazine, Nylon, Bon Appetit, Broccoli Magazine, LA Weekly, Motherboard, the Village Voice, Tablet, Times of Israel, Merry Jane, the Forward, Narratively, VICE, Cannabis Wire, Miss Grass, Leafly, The Influence, Christian Science Monitor, Freedom Leaf, Inverse, Marijuana Moment, Herb, Deutsche Welle, and other publications. In addition to writing, I've had the honor to speak about cannabis journalism and cannabis feminism at conferences like AAN (Association of Alternative Newsmedia, San Diego 7/18), Digital Hollywood (Los Angeles 5/18, 10/18), The Rind/Limone Creative's Women in Weed (11/18), The Cannabis Media Summit (12/18), and so forth. Chapters: 0:00 - Intro 12:07 - Education 23:52 - Jewish Psychedelic Scene 25:57 - Early Career 32:24 - Current Endeavors 34:24 - State of Psych Movement 41:24 - Set and Setting Podcast 43:15 - Exile & Ecstasy 46:47 - Ram Dass 50:10 - Tzfat 53:04 - Ayin Press 55:06 - October 7th 1:06:29 - When Work Affected Change 1:08:17 - Mentor 1:11:47 - Ask Jeff a Question 1:15:54 - Most Grateful for 1:17:23 - Snap Your Fingers 1:18:10 - How to Support
71: Sarah Peyton on the power of relational neuroscience
Host: Jeffrey M. Zucker Producer: Kait Grey Editor: Nick Case Recording date: 7/25/23 In this episode, Jeffrey sits down with Sarah Peyton , a relational neuroscience educator, constellations facilitator, certified Nonviolent Communication trainer, and author of multiple books. They discuss her traumatic upbringing in Alaska, working as a translator on a Soviet fishing boat, her draw to relational neuroscience and bringing it to others, the importance of self-compassion, and much more… Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-icowJ2jwl0 Learn more: https://www.instagram.com/sarahpeytonauthor/ https://www.facebook.com/sarah.peyton.773 https://twitter.com/resonantself https://www.youtube.com/sarahpeyton https://sarahpeyton.com/ https://www.yourresonantself.com/ Other resources: Links to How to Have AntiRacist Conversations & The AntiRacist Heart https://antiracistconversations.com/#events?seg_id=01H5MTJMDDJPEF0RWXBSHP7YVZ.14755.1689694851503 Healing from Disorganized Attachment webinar series https://sarahpeyton.com/product/healing-disorganized-attachment-series/ Fierce Compassion: Skills for Antiracist Conversations https://sarahpeyton.com/product/fierce-compassion-roxy-manning-sarah-peyton/ Bio: Sara: I’m a neuroscience educator, constellations facilitator, certified Nonviolent Communication trainer and author who invites audiences into a compassionate understanding of the effects of relational trauma on the brain, and teaches about how to use resonance to change and heal. But it wasn’t always this way… I used to struggle with brutal depression and anxiety. I was in constant battle with a lacerating self-critical inner voice that told me I was worthless, stupid, and unlovable. Before I understood the science of how difficult events impact our automatic brain patterning, and how trauma fragments our capacity for self-warmth, I thought I was just plain broken. But there is nothing wrong with me, nor with you. We make sense. No matter what challenging feelings we have, no matter how flawed our strategies are for trying to get our needs met. I am thrilled to share what I’ve learned about how trauma impacts the brain, and how we can move into a joyful relationship with ourselves and others through resonant healing. Read more about me here. I dream of a world where all humans have a sense of belonging and mattering, where we treat ourselves, the planet, and the beings around us with gentleness and care. Do you have this longing too? If so, you are in the right place. 0:00 - Intro 13:57 - Trauma and the Brain 16:46 - Sarah's Journey 20:23 - Translating for Soviets 27:50 - Your Resonant Self 32:08 - Relational Neuroscience 39:43 - Affirmations for Turbulent Times 41:33 - Healing from Disorganized Attachment 45:37 - Leveraging Self-compassion to Counter W.S. 53:07 - Constellations Facilitator 57:43 - Default Mode Network 1:04:35 - Recognition of Subtle Forms of V. 1:08:12 - Psychedelic Medicine and Trauma 1:10:45 - When Work Affected Change 1:14:20 - Mentor 1:15:55 - Ask Jeff a Question 1:18:22 - Most Proud of 1:21:12 - Snap Your Fingers 1:22:47 - How to Support
S6E8 (episode #58): Brian Vicente on a patient-first approach to drug reform, starting a top law firm, and more…
In this episode, Brian and Jeffrey discuss Brian’s growing up as the son of an immigrant, playing soccer, finding his calling to fight the war on drugs, being an advocate and attorney for patients in need, founding a premier law firm, starting businesses, and much more… Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/jfCxwHXzY7o Host: Jeffrey M. Zucker Producer: Kait Grey Editor: Nick Case Learn more: Recording date: 4/27/23 Vicente LLP: http://VicenteLLP.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/vicentellp/ https://www.facebook.com/VicenteLLP.Law https://twitter.com/VicenteLLP https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvC6KYzp_QPLF6lTAfxYlWg NHCC: https://nhccouncil.org/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/nhcc-national-hispanic-cannabis-council/ https://www.instagram.com/nhccouncil/ https://www.facebook.com/nationalhccouncil/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_WLuX-AWye59cVabW2UrXw/featured Other resources: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vsstrategies/ https://www.vsstrategies.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/simplifya/ https://www.simplifya.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/leafwire/ https://www.leafwire.com/ https://vicentellp.com/people/brian-vicente/ Brian: I am a passionate supporter of marijuana reform and have spent the past decade plus helping to create and shape cannabis laws across the US, and working with cannabis entrepreneurs and investors to start and grow compliant and profitable businesses. As one of the primary authors of Amendment 64 and co-director of its historic campaign, I was an integral part of the team that made Colorado the first geographic area in the world where possession, use, and regulated distribution of marijuana is legal for adults. In 2014 The Guardian (UK) named me "the industry's de facto spokesman," and my unique experience with marijuana policy has created opportunities for me to serve as a formal advisor to local, state, and federal governments, including assisting Uruguay with becoming the first country in the world to fully-regulate the adult marijuana market.
S5E4 (episode 44): Mason Tvert on cannabis being safer than alcohol led to legalization
In this episode, Mason and Jeffrey discuss how Mason got into cannabis policy, the late, great Steve Fox, the stunts they pulled to get media attention, how legalization impacts so many other policies, his work at VS Strategies, and more… Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zM9JXjVXL5k Learn more: Recording date: 11/14/22 Vicente Sederberg LLP - https://vicentesederberg.com/ VS Strategies - https://www.vsstrategies.com/ Marijuana Policy Project - https://www.mpp.org/ Students for Sensible Drug Policy: https://www.ssdp.org/ Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition - https://www.ccjrc.org/ Mason Tvert is a partner at VS Strategies based in Denver. He also serves as communications adviser to Vicente Sederberg LLP. Mason has been working to change public policies and public attitudes regarding cannabis since 2005. He has been called "The Don Draper of Pot" by Politico Magazine, "marijuana's top evangelist" by The Boston Globe, and one of the "100 Most Influential People in Cannabis" by High Times magazine. In 2012, The Denver Post named him Colorado's "top thinker" of the year in politics and government, and High Times recognized him as "Freedom Fighter of the Year," for the outsized role he played in Colorado's historic legalization initiative and efforts that led up to it. Prior to joining VS Strategies, Mason served as director of communications for the Marijuana Policy Project, the nation's largest marijuana policy organization, where he managed strategic communications, media relations, and online outreach in support of reform efforts at the federal, state and local levels. While at MPP, he co-directed the successful 2012 initiative campaign to regulate marijuana like alcohol in Colorado and worked on several other state and local campaigns, including the successful legalization initiatives in Alaska, Nevada, Maine, and Massachusetts. He also coordinated communications efforts that contributed to the adoption of medical cannabis laws and decriminalization policies in several state legislatures around the country. Previously, Mason co-founded and served as executive director of Safer Alternative For Enjoyable Recreation (SAFER) and its 501(c)(4) advocacy arm, the SAFER Voter Education Fund, which laid the groundwork for the successful legalization effort in Colorado and facilitated the passage of cannabis-related student referendums on more than a dozen college campuses around the U.S. He led two successful local ballot measure campaigns in Denver, including the 2005 initiative that made it the first city in the world to remove all penalties for cannabis possession. Mason has done thousands of media interviews and appeared in hundreds of local, national and international news outlets. He has contributed columns to several publications, and he is a co-author of the book, "Marijuana is Safer: So why are we driving people to drink?"
S4E6 (episode 36): Dr. Amanda Reiman on cannabis, psychedelics, and more
In this episode, Amanda and Jeffrey discuss sportscasting, failing out of college, social work, drug policy, cannabis data, psychedelics, growing your own medicine, web3, and much more… Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/T71gjS_d48Q Learn more: Amanda: Twitter - https://twitter.com/AmandaReiman Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/amandamendoaklandish My Personal Plants: Website - https://www.mypersonalplants.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/personalplants Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/personalplants Twitter - https://twitter.com/PlantsPersonal YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu9Via_nkuAkz5B48rN3Q7Q Sacrd Gardn: Twitter - https://twitter.com/sacrdgardn Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sacrdgardn/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC84EcCqlYVsy2NONnaZMNkg Discord - https://discord.com/invite/jbv7raNcu2 OpenSea - https://opensea.io/SACRDGARDN New Frontier Data: Website - https://newfrontierdata.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/newfrontierdata/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/NewFrontierData Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/newfrontierdata/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/NewFrontierData YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm965QVxHCf50rzoxbOOxKg Excelsior College Cannabis Control Program - https://www.excelsior.edu/certificate/graduate-certificate-in-cannabis-control/ Ganjier Porgram - https://www.ganjier.com/ Cannabis Travel Association (CTA) - https://www.cannabistravelassociation.org/ Amanda Reiman is Vice President of Public Policy Research for New Frontier Data and the Founder of Personal Plants, a multimedia platform supporting the home cultivation of entheogenic plants. After receiving her PhD from UC Berkeley, Dr. Reiman was the Director of Research and Patient Services at Berkeley Patients Group, one of the oldest dispensaries in the country, and the Manager of Marijuana Law and Policy for the Drug Policy Alliance, a national non-profit that was engaged in the drafting and campaigns of legalization initiatives across the country and abroad. She also taught courses on substance abuse treatment and drug policy at UC Berkeley for 10 years. Dr. Reiman is an internationally recognized cannabis expert and public health researcher. Dubbed “The Brain” by Elle.com, she is a leader the field of cannabis as a substitute for alcohol and other drugs and has presented her research on cannabis dispensaries and the use of cannabis as a substitute for opiates all over the world. She has written for/been quoted in The Huffington Post, New York Times, Washington Post, and Playboy as well as numerous peer reviewed academic journals and several textbooks. Also an expert in cannabis policy on the local, national and international level, Dr. Reiman was the first Chairwoman of the Berkeley Medical Cannabis Commission and also sat on the Oakland Cannabis Regulatory Commission. She currently sits on the Board of Cannabis Doing Good and the Cannabis Travel Association International and is a member of the Ganjier Council.
S2E4 (episode 14): Troy Dayton on drug policy and experiencing joy
In this episode, Troy and Jeffrey discuss drug policy reform, how to experience more joy and connection in life, and much more… Learn more: Troy Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn Make That Change Reflections Retreat August 11-14 in Saratoga Springs MPP MAPS SSDP The Arcview Group Troy: I spent most of my adult life working to legalize drugs because I thought that the worst thing was to put someone in prison for what they put in their body. At some point I realized that living in mental, emotional, and spiritual prisons was way more widespread. And unlike actual prisons the keys to these prisons are in our hearts. So I set out to help people find the keys. I do this by "growing for the growth of all." I've been thoroughly committed to my own growth since my dad first introduced me to Wayne Dyer tapes when I was 12. Later Burning Man, deep intentional psychedelic work, meditation, therapy, and counseling and coaching trainings kept bearing fruit as I began to hone the skills at helping others on their journey. I do this via online courses, in person group experiences, and 1-1 coaching. I"m currently feeling most alive helping entrepreneurs who have reached a certain level of success but who feel a bit trapped by it and are seriously contemplating leaving their companies to pursue other dreams but just don't know where to begin.
Episode 7: Evan Nison on the path from activism to entrepreneurship and how they intertwine
In episode 7, Evan and Jeffrey discuss how activism can lead to entrepreneurship, changing drug laws, and life… Learn more: NisonCo website, Instagram, LinkedIn; Evan Instagram; National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML); Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP); Marijuana Policy Project (MPP); Death with Dignity; Camp Friendship Evan Nison has helped reform cannabis laws since 2008 and is the youngest member of the NORML National Board of Directors. He was included in Marijuana Venture’s 40 under 40 and High Time’s 100 Most Influential People in Cannabis. He also received a pen used to sign the New York medical marijuana law, New York legalization law, and New York 911 Good Samaritan Law. In 2012, he founded NisonCo PR one of the largest cannabis PR firms, which Business Insider called “the imminent PR agency in cannabis” in 2021. In 2018 NisonCo also launched an SEO agency, which has become a leader in cannabis SEO. With about 25 employees, the agency works with dozens of industry leaders in cannabis and other cutting-edge industries across the globe. They’ve represented viral celebrity brands, leading MSOs, NASDAQ and billion-dollar IPOs, national voter-registration drives, and some of the largest vaporizer and CBD brands in the country. The Observer listed NisonCo at the top of their Cannabis PR Power List in 2019. Evan has also been featured in major news outlets, including Good Morning America, the NY Times, CNN, Politico, USA Today, NBC New York, Bloomberg TV, Forbes, and has been profiled in The Cannabist, Civilized, Ithaca Times, Home News Tribune, The Marijuana Times, and the Sun Times.
Episode 4: Christina Dent on changing minds on drug policy in the deep South
In episode 4, Christina and Jeffrey talk about why her feelings changed on drugs and addiction, changing minds on drug policy in the deep South, growing up there, and more... Learn more: EndItForGood website, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Conference: SHIFT from Drug War to Drug Health; Christina Instagram, Christina Twitter, Christina Tedx Talk; Chasing the Scream book Christina is a writer, TEDx speaker, and perpetual question asker. She grew up in a conservative, Christian home and earned a degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Christian Ministry from Belhaven University. As a young adult, Christina assumed she had a solid understanding of how the world works. That changed when she and her husband became foster parents in 2014. The neat bow she had tied around her mental box of how the world works began to unravel. What had previously been a category of people in her mind, people addicted to drugs, now had a name, face, and an infant son that was sleeping in the extra bedroom down the hall. Her foster care experience gave her an up-close look at the realities of addiction, drug use, and the far-reaching impact of our drug laws. This became the catalyst for months of reading, questions, and listening as she tried to reconcile her beliefs as a Christian with the pain and suffering she was seeing first-hand. What she learned changed her mind. The laws she thought were the answer to keep people from using drugs she now saw as causing more harm than help to people made in God’s image. Christina founded End It For Good out of her desire to invite others to listen to the voices directly impacted by our drug laws. Her hope is that more people will explore the root causes of drug-related harm and consider a different approach. She is currently writing a book on the research and experiences that changed her mind about the best path forward to help people thrive, even in a world where harmful drugs exist. Christina is married to her college sweetheart, Thomas, and they live in Ridgeland, MS with their three sons. On the weekends you can find her biking, in a hammock reading a biography, or playing board games with the family.