Should Society Legalize Psychedelics?

Topics: Culture, Health, Law, Science

Public Release Date: April 22, 2021

Psychedelics, in medical terms, is an inexact category of drugs that affect perceptions and cognition. Their proponents say 1960s-era associations have undermined exciting research in the field of neuroscience. Psychedelics should be made much more widely available, they contend, to treat a range of mental and emotional issues, as well as to ascertain a more profound sense of ourselves. People should also be empowered to make their own decisions in its use. Not so fast, say opponents. These are powerful substances. And society does not know enough about the broader consequences of greatly increasing access. Cautionary tales should be heeded. Either way, like cannabis, the movement for wider use is growing.

So... here’s our debate: Should society legalize psychedelics?

ARGUING YES:

• Rick Doblin: Founder & Executive Director, Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies

• Bia Labate: Anthropologist & Drug Policy Expert

ARGUING NO:

• Jeffrey Lieberman: Professor & Chair, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University

• Kevin Sabet: President & CEO, Smart Approaches to Marijuana

MODERATOR:

• John Donvan: Emmy award-winning journalist