Start making sense™ #SSDP2016: STUDENTS FOR SENSIBLE DRUG POLICY CONFERENCE
SPONSORS
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BY Aunt Zelda's
Olga Jabbour
SSDP Board of Directors
Camping World
Paul Kuhn
SSDP Board of Trustees
Green Dot Labs
Solstice Grown
The Werc Shop
Kevin Herbert
SSDP Staff
SCHEDULE At-A-Glance Welcome to SSDP2016, the Students for Sensible Drug Policy International Conference! In 1999, a few dozen students who had been chatting online met in Washington, DC to bring their conversation about drug policy reform to the world. They were the first cohort of Students for Sensible Drug Policy -- members of the DARE generation who understood the broad failures of the drug war and sought each other out to raise their voices against a broken system and start making sense. Since then, countless SSDP conferences have catalyzed thousands of young people who return to campus ready to change the world. With content envisioned and developed almost exclusively by student members, #SSDP2016 will deliver six plenaries and thirty sessions from 100 students, authors, experts, and leaders in the drug policy reform movement. From this foundation, we will educate, inspire, and empower each other. We will celebrate our contributions to drug policy reform and create the bonds that will keep us pushing forward until the drug war has been replaced by policies rooted in evidence, compassion, justice, and human rights. This year’s program provides classic skills training in community organizing, policy change, and education. It also takes a direct look at the most pressing issues facing the drug policy reform movement: the challenges of emerging cannabis industries, drug education in the modern era, oppression and privilege in the drug war and reform movement, and the global conversation driven by the UNGASS. Thank you for joining us to create and participate in this transformative experience. Sensibly, Betty, Stacia and the SSDP Team
FRIDAY: 04.15.2016
SUNDAY: 04.17.2016
5:00pm – 8:00pm Registration
9:00am – 6:00pm Registration, Exhibitor Hall
6:00pm – 8:00pm Welcome reception and regional networking with light hors d’oeuvres and cash bar.
9:00am – 9:45am Breakfast + Activist Storytelling
8:00pm – 10:00pm Congress I (students only) 8:00pm – 10:00pm Alumni dinner (separately ticketed)
SATURDAY: 04.16.2016 9:00am – 6:00pm Registration, Exhibitor Hall
9:00am – 9:45am Find the Party In Your Heart: Breakfast with Eric Sterling 9:45am – 10:15am Keynote: Why Addiction is a Learning Disorder and Why It Matters 10:30am – 11:45am Breakout sessions (4) •
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Clubs, Regulated Industry, and the StateRun Store: An exploration of modern cannabis regulatory models Road to UNGASS: What you need to know about the special session and why it matters REVIVE! Opioid Overdose Prevention Training for Virginia Immigration Reform Isn't the Only Latino Issue
12:00pm – 1:15pm Fierce Allies: Collaborating across the divide for drug policy reform 1:15pm – 3:15pm Headshots
9:45am – 10:15am Keynote: Almost Another Dead Black Man: My transformation from brutalized student to impassioned advocate 10:30am – 11:45am Breakout sessions (4) •
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• •
12:00pm – 1:15pm Breakout sessions (4) • • • •
3:00pm – 4:15pm Breakout sessions (3) • •
3:00pm – 4:15pm Breakout sessions (4)
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• • •
The War on Drugs Goes Digital: A discussion with Lyn Ulbricht, mother of Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht Ballot Initiative and Campaign Basics: How to utilize your skills to get involved Environmental Consequences of the Drug War La Guerra Contra las Drogas en América Latina
4:30pm – 5:45pm Breakout sessions (4) • Cannabis and Cancer Care • The Anatomy of Writing & Passing Marijuana Laws • Dilemmas of Drug Education: Moral purity and transgressive knowledge in the classroom • Funding Your Dreams
Pursuing Medical Amnesty & Naloxone Access on Campus and Beyond The Power of SSDP Peer Education: An introduction From Meeting to Movement When Diplomacy Fails: How to fight back against a difficult administration
1:30pm – 2:45pm Lunch + Drug Policy Reform Movement Leaders Plenary
1:30pm – 2:45pm Lunch + Congress II •
SOLD OUT: How advocacy organizations stay accountable as an industry takes shape Eliminating the Need for Safe Spaces: Combating oppression in our own activist communities Marijuana and the Media in the Age of Legalization The Mental Illness of Drug Policy
Ethical Drug Consumption Psychedelics and Entheogens: Cognitive tools for healing and learning Sentencing in the Criminal Justice System: Who is incarcerated for how long?
4:30pm – 5:45pm Breakout sessions (4) • • • •
The War on Drugs: Women on the frontlines Why Direct Service Matters #Adulting: How to get and keep the job you want Getting the Word Out: Tips for taking over campus media
6:00pm – 6:30pm Start Making Sense: Students envision a post-prohibition world + Closing Ceremonies
6:00pm – 6:30pm Start Making Sense: Students envision a post-prohibition world 7:00pm – 8:00pm Diversity Awareness Reflection and Education (DARE) Meet Up and Dinner 8:30pm – 9:00pm Awards ceremony doors open + cash bar 9:00pm – 10:00pm Awards ceremony 10:00pm – 2:00am Live music featuring The Wets, dance party, photo booth, cash bar
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DETAILED CONFERENCE AGENDA
FRIDAY: 04.15.2016 u
5:00P - 8:00P
Registration Promenade 2nd Floor Lobby
SATURDAY: 04.16.2016 u
9:00A - 9:45A
Find the Party In Your Heart: Breakfast with Eric Sterling Eric Sterling
Road to UNGASS: What you need to know about the special session and why it matters Scott Bernstein, Laura Krasovitzky, Murtaza Majeed, Dave Borden, Sara Velimirovic
Rosslyn Ballroom
Dogwood
Welcome Reception
Join legendary drug policy reformer Eric Sterling in the ballroom for breakfast, where
A broad review of the upcoming United
Rosslyn Ballroom
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6:00P - 8:00P
Meet and greet reception for all conference attendees.
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8:00P - 10:00P
SSDP Student Congress - Part I Rosslyn Ballroom During SSDP Congress: Part I, attendees will be introduced to the student candidates
he will answer questions and discuss topics of particular interest to attendees -- and Eric -- in an informal, broad-ranging conversation.
Nations General Assembly Special Session on the world drug problem. Learn about the major events that have led up to this major moment in international drug policy reform and hear from several experts and global
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9:45A - 10:15A
Keynote: Why addiction is a learning disorder and why it matters Maia Szalavitz
youth regarding what they feel the most realistic outcomes are. Panelists will also dive into what happens post-UNGASS and what's next for international drug policy reform.
REVIVE! Opioid Overdose Prevention Training for Virginia
running to serve on SSDP’s Board of
Rosslyn Ballroom
Directors. The candidates running for
This keynote will explore why understanding
Student Director positions on the Board will
addiction as a learning disorder can advance
deliver brief speeches, followed by a question
drug policy reform and end stale arguments
and answer session in which students,
about whether compulsive drug use is a
Do you know how to respond to an opioid
SSDP staff, and current board members
crime or a disease. By seeing addiction
overdose emergency? If you or someone you
will ask the candidates questions regarding
from a new perspective, we can increase
love uses any kind of opioid drug—heroin,
their qualifications to serve on the Board.
compassion and reduce drug and drug policy
prescription opiate painkillers, etc.—come
It is strongly encouraged that all students
related harm.
learn how to administer naloxone to save
chapters will be voting on their top choices for Board members the following day.
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8:00P - 10:00P
Alumni Dinner
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a life in case of an overdose. Naloxone
attend this Congress session and get to know the candidates, as students in active SSDP
Rose Bono, Stephen Doheney
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10:30A - 11:45A
Clubs, Regulated Industry, and the State-Run Store: An exploration of modern cannabis regulatory models Marco Perduca, Dan Riffle, Zara Snapp, Sarah Trumble
(tradename Narcan) is a drug that reverses overdoses from opioids. Through the REVIVE! program, you can get trained to administer this life-saving drug in an overdose emergency and be guaranteed civil immunity. The legal information is intended for a Virginia audience, and Virginia residents
Shenandoah Suite
Shenandoah Suite
SSDP Alumni conference attendees are
As cannabis prohibition is replaced in
welcome. We will provide naloxone kits that
invited to join us in celebrating SSDP's 18
jurisdictions around the world, communities
include supplies like gloves, breathing masks,
years of outstanding alumni. This year's
and legislators are no longer asking if, but
etc., but do not include naloxone itself.
dinner requires advance ticket purchase.
rather how, cannabis should be socially
Information on how to obtain naloxone will
You won't want to miss this warm,
and legally positioned. From home grow
be provided.
intergenerational gathering of friends!
and cannabis clubs to the various American
Immigration Reform Isn't the Only Latino Issue
industrialist models, cannabis regulation is taking shape in a multitude of formats around the world. Expert panelists will discuss those models, critically analyze their costs and benefits, and provide a glimpse of how other drugs might be similarly regulated.
will be given priority for supplies, but all are
Hector Joel Anaya Segura, Marco Castillo, Stephanie Izquieta, Jeronimo Saldana Georgetown National news headlines as of late have focused on immigration reform as the main Latino issue that will drive Hispanics in numbers to the polls this election cycle, but immigration reform should not be the only thing on Latino voters or politicians’
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minds. Drug policy reform is very much
Congress session in order to vote (there
a Latino issue and something that more
will be an online voting system, but only
Environmental Consequences of the Drug War
Hispanic organizations should pay mind to.
for active chapters who cannot attend the
Kendra McSweeney, Lauren Mendelsohn,
The Latino population, already the nation’s
conference). Active chapters will also have
Sanho Tree
largest minority group, is set to transmogrify
the opportunity to propose nonbinding
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the demographic profile of the United Sates
resolutions to influence the direction of the
according to the Pew Research Center. In the
organization, if adopted by the student body.
same way that marijuana arrest rates have
Non-student attendees are invited to quietly
managed to sweep thousands of people
observe Congress or pick up a box lunch and
into the criminal justice system, particularly
find a place to eat nearby.
blacks in disproportionate numbers, similar arrest rates and patterns are happening to Latino communities. The drug war is a vehicle for mass deportation.
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12:00P - 1:15P
Fierce Allies: Collaborating across the divide for drug policy reform J. Miakoda Taylor
drug policy experts to discuss the range of impacts that the global war on drugs is having on the planet, from aerial fumigation using harmful pesticides to illicit growing in national parkland to forced migration of
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3:00P - 4:15P
The War on Drugs Goes Digital: A discussion with Lyn Ulbricht, mother of Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht
indigenous peoples. This is relevant to the upcoming UNGASS debate as well as the recent COP21 global climate discussions.
Kat Murti, Lyn Ulbricht
La Guerra Contra las Drogas en América Latina
Shenandoah Suite
Hector Joel Anaya Segura, Martín Díaz, Amaya
On Friday, May 29th, 2015, Ross Ulbricht,
Ordorika, Emma Rodríguez Romero
creator of the Silk Road website, was
Georgetown
sentenced to life in prison without parole,
A roundtable panel focusing on drug policy
Students for Sensible Drug Policy is
even though his charges were all non-
reform in Latin America, one of the regions
committed to integrating and addressing
violent. Lyn Ulbricht, Ross’ heartbroken
most affected by the Global War on Drugs.
broad ranging issues, from drug education
mother, stood by his side throughout his
SSDP students from Mexico will join activists
to criminal and racial justice. Doing so
trial and brutal sentencing. In a one-on-one
from El Salvador and Honduras to explore
effectively requires us to build resilient
discussion, Lyn will paint a picture of the man
the issues most affecting their home.
multi-perspective collaborations and engage
who built Silk Road; his reasons for doing so;
in fiercely honest dialogues about the very
the futility of the drug war and its push into
issues that divide us. In this interactive
the digital space; and the myriad ways the
plenary, J. Miakoda Taylor will lead us in
government violates our privacy rights in the
resourcing practices and probing inquiries
process. She will share her own fight to save
that empower each of us to transform the
her son from a life behind bars, and describe
Meyer
obstacles of shame, fear, and rage into
her experience in the prisons, where so many
Shenandoah Suite
catalysts for Fierce Allyship.
non-violent people are captive.
A discussion about the use of cannabis for
Ballot Initiative and Campaign Basics: How to utilize your skills to get involved
the direct treatment of cancer as well as the
Rosslyn Ballroom
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1:15P - 3:15P
Headshots for students Shenandoah C
Betty Aldworth, Sam Chapman, Kat
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4:30P - 5:45P
Cannabis and Cancer Care Justin Kander, Dr. Mikhail Kogan, Melissa
alleviation of side effects associated with conventional treatments. Scientific, clinical, and human evidence will be explored, along
Humphries, Andrew Livingston, Drew
with ongoing developments in the field.
Stromberg, Shaleen Title, Chris Wallis Dogwood
The Anatomy of Writing & Passing Marijuana Laws
Come discuss what working on a cannabis
Sam Chapman, Rob Kampia
campaign is like, and how you can use the
Dogwood
skills you have to get involved. A number of
If you want to legalize marijuana in your
experienced alumni will be covering a range
home state, or simply want to learn how to
Lunch + SSDP Student Congress II
of topics including how to get involved in the
write and pass a law in general, this session
Rosslyn Ballroom
organization of a campaign, policy basics,
is for you. Rob and Sam will be discussing
videography, drafting, campaign finance,
several successful and failed strategies and
and more. Think you’re the next Karl Rove of
lessons from legalizing marijuana through
marijuana? Come hang with these wonks and
ballot initiative campaigns and through
find out!
state legislatures. From getting a "note from
Stop by Shenandoah C anytime from 1:153:15 to get professional headshots taken by Ben Droz Photography. Offer available to students only.
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1:30P - 2:45P
During SSDP Congress: Part II, students in active chapters will vote on their top five choices to elect new Student Directors that will serve a two-year term on SSDP’s Board of Directors. You must be present at this
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This session will feature environmental and
mother", to defusing competing initiatives, we will be sharing stories and lessons from the
front lines of legalizing marijuana in various states across the country.
Dilemmas of Drug Education: Moral purity and transgressive knowledge in the classroom Kenneth Tupper Club
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6:00P - 6:30P
Start Making Sense: Students envision a post-prohibition world Molly Davis, Lauren Parasconda, Brett Phelps
SUNDAY: 04.17.2016 u
9:00A - 9:45A
Breakfast + Activist Storytelling
Rosslyn Ballroom
Irina Alexander, Kevin Franciotti, Lex Pelger
Whether it’s cannabis policy reform, prison
Rosslyn Ballroom
abolition, the movement for cognitive liberty,
This presentation undertakes a critical
Grab some breakfast in the promenade, then
or racial justice, everything that Students
exploration of the past, the present and the
join Psymposia for one of our Psychoactive
for Sensible Drug Policy has done since
potential future of drug education in North
Storytelling events. Hear from our speakers
its inception in 1998 has been aimed at
American schools. It begins with an overview
about an important drug experience in their
dismantling global drug prohibition. 2016 is
of how school-based drug education began
own life & how it impacted themselves &
a transformative year for drug policy reform
in the 19th century, through the Woman’s
their work. Also, we always leave a slot or
that can accelerate our advancement toward
Christian Temperance Union’s anti-alcohol
two open for someone from the audience
more sensible drug policies. Come hear from
campaigns in classrooms in the 1880s. It then
to share their story. Step up and share
fellow SSDP students on their “Vision for
traces the evolution of teaching practices
your own transformational experience. For
a Post-Prohibition World” in our first ever
in drug education and school policies
chapter leaders, come talk to us about how
Lightning Talks session.
we can setup a storytelling event on your
towards drug use, with particular focus on how schools became enmeshed in the escalating “war on (some) drugs” in the late 20th century. The presentation considers
campus. They're a wonderful way to learn
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7:00P - 8:00P
DARE Committee Meetup
from the next generation while also building community.
how harm reduction and public health
Shenandoah Suite
perspectives are (or are not) incorporated
Interested in broadening perspectives in
into school-based drug education today,
SSDP and the drug policy reform movement?
and what comparisons with a similarly
Join members of SSDP’s Diversity, Awareness,
challenging curriculum topic, sex education,
Reflection and Education (DARE) Committee
might illustrate about how to achieve optimal
for an open conversation about facilitating
learning, health and social outcomes. It
diversity and inclusion in the drug policy
Alex Landau
concludes with some reflection on how drug
reform movement. Please bring your own
Rosslyn Ballroom
education may evolve in the coming years,
dinner.
In 2009, Alex Landau was a 19-year-old
as both scientific research and international drug policy reform efforts shift the knowledge base and political landscape for addressing drug issues in schools.
Funding Your Dreams
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9:45A - 10:15A
Keynote: Almost Another Dead Black Man: My transformation from brutalized student to impassioned advocate
college student with little sense of the
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8:30P - 2:00A
Awards Ceremony + Dance Party Rosslyn Ballroom
dangers posed by the color of his skin when he was nearly killed by three Denver police officers for "driving while black". His body was savagely beaten, as was his sense of place in
Miranda Gottlieb, Beth Henneman, Kat
Join us in the ballroom for the SSDP Awards
the world. Alex will share how this experience
Humphries, Lauren Padgett
Ceremony from 9:00-10:00, where we’ll
catalyzed his entry into the movement
Georgetown
recognize members of the SSDP network for
for transformation of law enforcement in
their outstanding work. Then, sing along and
the service of social and racial justice in
dance to an evening of celebrating with a
solidarity and through a lens of passion,
dance party and live music. The Wets, a band
intersectionality, and coalition.
Join these power funders sharing their experiences raising money for nonprofits, political initiatives, and elected representatives with specialties in grant writing and chapter funding through campus resources. Learn strategies for funding your SSDP chapter and beyond! Come participate in this panel to find out how to leverage your professional and academic networks to benefit your social activism.
comprised of SSDP alumni, will perform high energy covers of songs from the 60's through today. Take a photo in the photo booth to commemorate this once-in-a-lifetime experience! A cash bar will be available for those 21 and older.
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10:30A - 11:45A
SOLD OUT: How advocacy organizations stay accountable as an industry takes shape Dr. Malik Burnett, Stephanie Izquieta, Shaleen Title, Lauren Vasquez, Cassie Young Shenandoah Suite As the marijuana movement and industry grow rapidly, the line between activists and business is becoming increasingly blurred.
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What does this mean for future generations
the issue of how drug policy affects the
From Meeting to Movement
of activists? Is the marijuana industry taking
mentally ill community. We will examine rates
Tyler Williams
advantage of movement leaders doing their
of arrest and incarceration for drug crimes,
Club
work for free? Conversely, does it dilute the
as well as rates of recidivism among the
power of activists when they accept industry
mentally ill post-incarceration. We will take
money? As state and local policies become
time to discuss some of the most prominent
increasingly influenced by business interests,
proposed solutions to this problem from a
our panelists will discuss how activists can
public policy standpoint.
delineate what they will and won't support. How can we maintain independence without losing opportunities? We'll discuss solutions to provide accountability for the industry.
Eliminating the Need for Safe Spaces: Combating oppression in our own activist communities Betty Aldworth, Scott Cecil, Monique Chavez, Kyle Harrington, Rachel Wissner Dogwood As activists, we tend to think of our own community as a place free of racism, sexism, queerphobia and other forms of oppression. Although we all value justice and equity, each of us has grown up in a society that normalizes oppression, which can spill over into our activist communities. In order to realize our common goal of ending the drug war, it is important that we can address oppression within our activist circles. Come hear from fellow SSDP chapter leaders on how to identify and address oppression in our chapters and on campus.
SSDP meeting. Attend to learn the ways in which you can earn "rockstar" status for your chapter. We'll run through best practices for chapter meetings, and take practical steps to bring the work done in our space into the
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12:00P - 1:15P
wider world.
Pursuing Medical Amnesty & Naloxone Access on Campus and Beyond
When Diplomacy Fails: How to fight back against a difficult administration
Thomas Carpenter, Scott Cecil, Daniel Miles,
Aurora Wetherill
Jeremy Sharp Shenandoah Suite Join SSDP chapter leaders and staff members for a comprehensive discussion designed for chapters looking to begin or continue their campus-level, good samaritan campaign. 911 Good Samaritan (Medical Amnesty) policies are at the core of the work many SSDP chapters do. They are effective solutions for enhancing student safety and can help SSDP chapters gain legitimacy on campus. They are also excellent sources of tangible experience in policy making, public relations, and campus outreach. Panelists will discuss their own stories, experiences, and successes with state-level lobbying efforts for good samaritan laws and expansion of
Gunnar Aas, Jake Agliata, Catherine Sevcenko, Georgetown SSDP students have been an incredibly powerful force behind policy change on college campuses. Yet it seems that at some point, every chapter will inevitably come into conflict with their school's administration. Come hear fellow SSDP students and alumni address some of the most common obstacles student activists must face when pursuing policy change, as well as what to do when your campus administration is actively censoring your voice or otherwise denying your rights to free speech & assembly. The panel will include substantial time for audience members to share their own stories and ask questions to the panel about current issues they are facing.
Marijuana and the Media in the Age of Legalization
naloxone access at the campus, local, and
David Bienenstock, Mikayla Hellwich, Steven
and presentation of new SSDP resources
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Nelson, Evan Nison, Abdullah Saeed
for chapters working on Naloxone access
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expansion and public awareness.
Lunch + Drug Policy Reform Movement Leaders Plenary
Join a diverse group of professionals for a moderated discussion of how legalization has
The Power of SSDP Peer Education: An introduction
(and hasn't) affected the media's approach
Frances Fu, Dr. Vilmarie Narloch, Jerry Otero
to marijuana, including insiders' perspectives
Dogwood
from dedicated cannabis journalists, establishment reporters new to the cannabis beat, and video producers working within the global entertainment-industrial complex. Plus tips for activists, advocates, and other interested parties on how to best interact with the media on this issue.
state levels. There will also be a discussion
Are you interested in teaching your peers about drugs? Have you ever been faced with a situation where you needed to refer a peer to resources? Students for Sensible Drug Policy is pleased to present a sneak peak of our peer education program. Facilitators Dr. Vilmarie Narloch and Frances Fu will discuss
The Mental Illness of Drug Policy
why it’s essential for SSDPers to learn peer
Anthony Carrasco, Dr. Vilmarie Narloch,
education skills, give you an overview of
Garrett Reuscher
resources to help equip you to be effective
Georgetown
peer educators, and talk about opportunities
This session will be devoted to exploring
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This session takes place in the form of a mock
to get involved with this program as soon as this summer!
1:30P - 2:45P
Betty Aldworth, Robert Capecchi, Michael Collins, Rick Doblin (via video), Neill Franklin, Steph Sherer Rosslyn Ballroom Hear from leaders in the drug policy reform movement representing major organizations. We'll discuss opportunities and challenges on the horizon as we all continue our fight against the failed War on Drugs with a special focus on the critical contributions of the student movement, and leaders it produces.
3:00P - 4:15P
Why Direct Service Matters
Merrigan, Katie Stone, Oliver Zerrudo
Sentencing in the Criminal Justice System: Who is incarcerated for how long? Presented by the Charles Koch Institute
Shenandoah Suite
Eric Alston, Michael Collins, Molly Gill, Lauren
Dogwood
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Ethical Drug Consumption Alex Betsos, Frances Fu, Penelope Hill, Sarah
Last year's #EveryLineCounts campaign shamed casual cocaine users by blaming
Krisai
Maryanne Alderson, Irina Alexander, Kevin Franciotti, Dr. Vilmarie Narloch, Zoe Steinsnyder
Community engagement is an integral
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part of any social justice movement, and
them for the brutal violence and
Driven largely by ever-lengthening sentences,
the drug policy reform movement is no
environmental degradation often linked to
the U.S. prison population has increased by
different. Come to this session to learn how
cocaine production. The campaign, however,
almost 800 percent since the 1980s. While
to identify volunteer opportunities related
did not draw attention to the atrocities
all criminals should be held accountable,
to drug policy, hear about the challenges of
caused by prohibitionist drug policies. This
punishments should be proportional to
volunteer work and strategies for working
session aims to examine what "ethical"
the crime committed. Stories such as
with marginalized populations.
behavior means in the context of the global
that of Weldon Angelos, who is serving a
drug war. Is it possible to ethically consume
mandatory minimum sentence of 55 years
drugs or should the focus be on reducing the
for selling marijuana, force us to reconsider
harms of unethical behavior?
the demands of justice. Please join experts
Psychedelics and Entheogens: Cognitive tools for healing and learning Kevin Garcia, Matthew Getzin, Jennifer Purdon, Kenneth Tupper Dogwood This presentation explores the re-emerging scientific research on the beneficial potential of substances such as LSD, MDMA, psilocybin mushrooms, peyote, and ayahuasca. It reviews traditional indigenous spiritual and healing practices involving “plant teachers” as exemplars of socially integrative psychoactive
from the Charles Koch Institute, Families Against Mandatory Minimums, and the Reason Foundation to discuss whether there is a better way for the American criminal justice system to maintain public safety while protecting human dignity.
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4:30P - 5:45P
The War on Drugs: Women on the frontlines Kat Murti, Caroline Naughton, Kemba Smith Pradia, Jane West, Rachel Wissner Shenandoah Suite
#Adulting: How to get and keep the job You want Mikayla Hellwich, Lauren Padgett, Kim Stiens, Shaleen Title Club Ever wonder what it takes to land the job of your dreams? We’ll cover the skills you need to get the job you want and how to excel and be happy once you have it. This panel will cover how to be disciplined and manage your time, resumé building, nailing the interview, and workplace happiness. Plus, learn what the drug policy reform movement and cannabis industry’s hiring managers look for in an applicant.
Getting the Word Out: Tips for taking over campus media
substance use, which challenge today’s
Though men are often seen as the primary
drug policy authorities no less than colonial
targets of the drug war, women have long
and religious authorities centuries ago. It
been on the frontlines. Women comprise one
then covers some of the original scientific
of the fastest growing segments of the U.S.
research on psychedelics from the 1950s
prison population. Two-thirds of women in
and 1960s, when they were considered
federal prison are there for nonviolent drug
promising psychiatric medicines, and the
offenses. Three quarters are mothers—many
renewed research in the 21st century that is
of them sole caregivers. Pregnant women
corroborating and advancing earlier findings.
and mothers are uniquely vulnerable to
It explores some of the methodological
criminal justice involvement. Conspiracy laws
and political issues that faced both past
coupled with mandatory minimums have
and present psychedelic researchers. It will
sentenced women to decades—or even
also address some of the other trajectories
life—in prison simply for living with a partner
by which entheogens are re-entering the
in the drug trade. Meanwhile, activist groups
control of the narrative on your campus.
public domain, with particular focus on
like SSDP boast strong female leadership, and the legal cannabis industry has more female
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the transnational expansion of ayahuasca drinking practices. It concludes with some
executives per capita than all U.S. businesses
brief consideration of the future directions
as a whole.The women on this panel will
for psychedelic and entheogenic practices,
share powerful stories about what it means
how they may contribute to individual
to be a woman in Drug War America.
Chris Goldstein, Jon Perri, Cameron Price, Elise Szabo, Tyler Williams Georgetown Whether it's radio, newspaper, TV, or blogging, shaping the voice of campus media is a great way to spread the word about the campaigns your chapter is working on. Several current and former SSDP chapter leaders will discuss how they have successfully utilized campus media to help their chapters grow and change policy. Attend this panel and learn how you can take
6:00P - 6:30P
Start Making Sense: Students envision a post-prohibition world + Closing Ceremonies Miranda Gottlieb, Richard Hartnell Rosslyn Ballroom
and collective human flourishing, and
Come hear from fellow SSDP students on their
how evidence-based public policies may
“Vision for a Post-Prohibition World” in our first
accommodate them.
ever Lightning Talks session.
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SPEAKER BIOS
Gunnar Aas is the president of Hamline
professional with some of Denver’s most
National Commission on Human Rights, local
University’s Students for Sensible Drug Policy
well-respected nonprofit organizations. Betty
secretaries of the Commission to Eradicate
chapter in Saint Paul, MN. He is working to
served as advocacy director for Colorado’s
Discrimination(COPRED) and the Youth
end a flawed and ineffective prohibition, to
2012 Campaign to Regulate Marijuana
Institute (INJUVE) to provide input on drug
dispel myths about drug use, abuse, and
Like Alcohol--the collaborative committee
control strategies.
addiction through peer education, and to
responsible for legalizing, taxing and
expand harm reduction programs in his
regulating marijuana for adults in Colorado-
Scott Bernstein is a program officer for
community. As a result of his work with his
-and was the Deputy Director of the National
chapter and other student and youth-led
Cannabis Industry Association in 2013, the
policy reform groups, and his Social Justice
organization’s breakthrough year.
and Sociology studies, Aas developed
Eric Alston is Senior Policy and Research
Africa. Previously Scott worked as a lawyer in
Analyst at Charles Koch Institute.
Vancouver leading a campaign built around
Irina Alexander '07 works as an Outreach
strategic human rights litigation on behalf
a strong belief that the advocacy and actions of young people are the foundation of movements where effective and revolutionary reforms are made possible.
Jake Agliata '11* is SSDP's Outreach Coordinator for the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and International regions, where he helps develop student activists and chapters. He also chairs the International Outreach Committee, where he works with other global allies to amplify the youth voice on drug policy reform at the international level. Prior to joining SSDP's staff in Summer 2014, Jake co-founded the SSDP chapter at Dickinson College in 2011 and served as president from 2013-2014.
Maryanne Alderson is in the Criminology and Criminal Justice Masters program at California State University, Long Beach. She is the founding member and president of her Students for Sensible Drug Policy chapter at her campus. She is currently employed at Homeless Healthcare Los Angeles Center for Harm Reduction, where she began as a volunteer. The Center for Harm Reduction is a needle exchange site where Maryanne is able to provide needle exchange services and narcan trainings to clients. She has also attended Los Angeles Police Department meetings to educate law enforcement on the benefits of needle exchange and narcan. She considers Homeless Healthcare her happy place, where she knows she is fighting the War on Drugs one needle at a time.
Counselor for At The Crossroads, an organization in San Francisco that helps unstably housed young adults live happy and healthy lives. In her spare time, she works as a supervisor for the Zendo, a project of MAPS that helps people navigate difficult psychedelic experiences, and co-organizes
the Global Drug Policy Program at the Open Society Foundations. At OSF, Scott works in the areas of international drug policy at the United Nations and drug policy in
of people who use drugs, initiating legal challenges around heroin-assisted treatment, supervised consumption and challenging anti–harm reduction municipal bylaws. He also was involved in Vancouver’s Insite case—on the legality of the city’s supervised injection facility—at all levels of court.
the SF Psychedelic Society. Her roots in
Alex Betsos is a sociology and
social justice grew out of drug policy reform.
anthropology undergraduate at Simon Fraser
When she lived in DC, she served as the SSDP
University. He is the Personnel Liaison for
National Board Chair from 2010-2012, worked
Canadian Students for Sensible Drug Policy
for the Criminal Justice Policy Foundation,
(CSSDP), and the co-founder and volunteer
volunteered as a team leader for HIPS, and
coordinator for Karmik, a Vancouver-
helped work on DC's Good Samaritan Law.
based nightlife and festival harm reduction
Héctor Joel Anaya Segura is an
organization. His future areas of interest
anthropologist from Mexico City and a chapter leader for Estudiantes por una Política Sensata de Drogas (EPSD), the SSDP chapter in Mexico City. He has also been involved for 5 years with the most notable drug policy NGO in Mexico, the Colectivo por una política Integral hacia las Drogas(CUPIHD) Involved as a research assistant staff member of the Executive Director and developed
include Novel Psychoactive Substances, drugs and their relationship to bodies and affects, drug use and communities of care, as well as actor-network approaches to studying drugs. Particularly, he wants to begin the process of looking at drugs as non-human actors, and the radical possibilities that come through drug using communities and the risks that pertain to them.
specialties in local illegal drug markets, small
A columnist, frequent contributor and
scale drug dealing law, drug trafficking modes
video host/producer at VICE Media, David
and history and operation of Mexican drug
Bienenstock is the author of How to Smoke
smugglers’ groups. Member in National
Pot (Properly): A Highbrow Guide to Getting
School of Anthropology for five years, helping
High (Penguin / Random House - April 2016),
organize and annual conference about the
as well as a ten-year veteran of High Times
history and anthropology of the world drug
magazine. He continues to write frequently
problem with the support of the UNESCO
about marijuana politics and culture, and co-
Betty Aldworth joined SSDP in February
Chair Transformaciones Económicas y
produces the VICE series Bong Appetit, which
2014 as Executive Director. Since 2009, Betty
Sociales Relacionadas con el Problema
explores the intersection of cannabis and
has specialized in community outreach,
Internacional de las Drogas. As a grassroots
cuisine. He has appeared as a marijuana expert
public relations, advocacy, and policy
organizer, worked with students and people
on CNN, NPR, MSNBC, HBO and Fox News.
reform as a consultant to cannabis-related
who use drugs presenting workshops on
businesses and nonprofit organizations.
drug policy, harm reduction, youth and
David Borden is founder and executive
Prior to her work in drug policy and medical
gender perspective, and the history and
cannabis, she was a volunteer leadership
sociology of drugs. Working with the
director of StoptheDrugWar.org. Borden played a leading role in pioneering the use of the Internet for education and organizing in
* Throughout this program, and on other SSDP materials, you'll notice a year following many names. This indicates the first year that person got involved with SSDP, and their status as an alumnus. Think of it as a person's "SSDP Class of" year.
9
drug policy reform after founding DRCNet in
for Public Policy, Thomas has spent his
cannabis industry. His previous experience
late 1993. Borden oversaw the organization's
undergraduate career helping push for a
includes consulting for statewide political
work on the Higher Education Act Reform
comprehensive and mandatory Medical
campaigns, small business development
Campaign, an effort to repeal a federal law
Amnesty/ Good Samaritan policy on both the
and media relations, as well as a registered
that denies students financial aid because of
UTK campus and for the state of TN. Thomas
lobbyist for drug policy reform at the local,
drug convictions. Currently, David is the lead
also plays trombone, writes opinion columns
state, and federal levels. In 2013 Sam
organizer of an ad hoc coalition of global drug
for the student newspaper, and is President
co-authored House Bill 3460, the Oregon
policy organizations working on influencing
of the Campus Events Board. He served as
law that legalized medical marijuana
positive change at the upcoming UNGASS.
an intern for Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-
dispensaries. Sam currently serves on the
Rose Bono is a Master of Public Health
09) in the summer of 2015 and is currently
Oregon Liquor Control Commission Business
looking for a job.
Rules Advisory Committee. He has been a
and former chapter leader of SSDP at VCU.
Anthony Carrasco is pursuing a degree
resident of Oregon for 20 years and holds a
She is a certified Virginia REVIVE! naloxone
in Legal Studies and Political Science and
trainer. She has advocated for a statewide
a minor in Public Policy at the University of
Safe Reporting of Overdoses policy and
California, Berkeley. Anthony serves on the
Vice President of SSDP at University of
expanded access to naloxone in Virginia.
leadership committee of Berkeley SSDP while
New Mexico Law School, Co-President of
Dr. Malik Burnett is a resident physician
pursuing his particular interest in the effects
LAMBDA, and Board Member of American
of drug policy on the mentally ill community.
Constitution Society, Monique Chavez ’s
His interest in the topic was sparked by his
passion for drug policy reform was ignited
work at an Oakland non-profit which serves
at the young age of fourteen when she
members of the homeless community
attended her first rave. At the University of
suffering from mental illness and drug
New Mexico School of Law, where she will
addiction, work he hopes to continue as an
graduate in May, she re-chartered the SSDP
academic and activist.
chapter and sheparded it to become an
legalizing the possession of marijuana, which
Marco Castillo is the founding Exectuvie
impactful organization on campus. She is
won the support of 70% of District voters as
Director of the Institute for Social and
a policy manager at the Drug Policy Alliance’s
Cultural Practice and Resarch, Inc, a Mexico-
Office of National Affairs and continues to
US non profit organization working since
work with the local and state governments
2001 to create conditions for social justice
to advance drug policy reform legislation
in the Mexico-US region through education,
around the country.
organizing, solidarity and advocay. From that
student at Virginia Commonwealth University
at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, who works to advance the broader drug policy reform agenda with the goal of shifting US drug policy from framework based on criminal justice to one based on public health. He successfully co-chaired the Initiative 71 campaign, a ballot measure
Prior to becoming director of federal policies,
Oregon in Philosophy and Political Science.
active in the medical cannabis community, advocating at various hearings and lobbying local legislators. She has interned at 4Front Ventures and the Drug Policy Alliance, and plans on forming New Mexico’s first comprehensive cannabis law firm following graduation.
of the Migrant Families Popular Assembly,
Michael Collins is deputy director at Drug
the Migrant Families Center and the Acción
Policy Alliance's Office of National Affairs,
Migrante Campaign. Marco Castillo is a Social
in Washington, D.C., where he works with
Anthropologyst from México's Puebla State
Congress on a variety of drug policy issues
Autonomus University.
including marijuana reform, sentencing
legislatures. Robert joined the MPP staff
Scott Cecil '10 joined SSDP as a student
reform, and drug war spending. He is
in October of 2009. He played a major
member in 2010 when he cofounded the
role in the MPP-led effort to remove the
first SSDP chapter in the state of Arizona. He
criminal penalties for possession of up to
was elected to SSDP Board of Directors in
an ounce of marijuana in Rhode Island while
2013 and joined SSDP's staff in the summer
simultaneously redrafting that state’s medical
of 2014 as the outreach coordinator for the
marijuana dispensary system. Robert also
Southeast and Southwest regions. He plans
Molly Davis is a current junior at Rocky
led MPP’s successful effort to decriminalize
to dedicate his entire professional life, as
Mountain College in Billings, Montana. She
marijuana possession in Delaware and was a
long as it takes, to help bring an end to the
is pursuing an undergraduates degree in
key member of the team that passed medical
War on Drugs and working for restituion
Political Science as well as Communication
marijuana legislation in Minnesota.
for fomerly incarcerated individuals and
Studies with a minor in Business. Besides
Thomas Carpenter is a Senior at the
communties negatively impacted by the Drug
SSDP, she serves as treasurer for her college's
War disaster.
Student Senate and is actively involved with
and minoring in Political Science. As a
Sam Chapman '09 is a founding member
Debate Team.
Senator and later City of Knoxville Liaison
of New Economy Consulting LLC, a firm
Martín Díaz is a pastor of the Evangelical
for the UT Student Government and Baker
based in Portland Oregon focused on
Protestant Church of the Savior and a
Scholar at the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center
advising entrepreneurs and investors in the
refugee of the War on Drugs. He is a Pastoral
Robert Cappechi served as deputy director of state policies at the Marijuana Policy Project. In that role, Robert was the point person for MPP’s legislative work in about a quarter of the various state
University of Tennessee majoring in Classics
10
position, Marco has facilitated the formation
baccalaureate degree from the University of
originally from Scotland, and lived in France, Spain and Mexico, before moving to the U.S. Michael has discussed drug policy issues in the New York Times, the Washington Post, and on CNN and the BBC.
Theologian specializing in Human Rights and
law and industry organizations to research
Chris Goldstein is the Senior Editor
Drug Policy, as well as chairman of the board
cannabis policy in various states, and
at Freedom Leaf Magazine. He has also
of the Evangelical Protestant Church of El
write and review applications for cannabis
written a weekly marijuana column at
Salvador, working with international church
cultivation centers and dispensary licenses.
Philly.com since 2013. Chris has served on
and interfaith organizations such as the FLM,
On campus, she was involved with Sexual
the board of directors at the Coalition for
CLAI, MST, GEMRIP, and Religions for Peace,
Health and Assault Peer Educators (SHAPE),
Medical Marijuana New Jersey (CMMNJ),
to name a few.
Alpha Chi Omega sorority and and has
Pennsylvanians for Medical Marijuana
Stephen Doheney '09 lives in Richmond,
served as the President of the Panhellenic
(PA4MMJ), NORML New Jersey and
Association.
PhillyNORML. He is a frequent commentator
include medical cannabis and overdose
Kevin Garcia refounded the SSDP chapter
in television, print and radio. Chris also works
reversal and prevention. He has been certified
at Florida International University in the
as a Virginia REVIVE! naloxone trainer since
summer of 2015. He is graduating in spring
2014 and has trained over 50 lay rescuers.
2016 with a degree in psychology and plans
Kevin Franciotti '08 has been a
to pursue a PhD in cognitive neuroscience.
Virginia. His drug policy reform priorities
as a media and PR consultant to non-profits and the private sector. His biggest reform accomplishment so far was helping to win marijuana decriminalization for Philadelphia
Joining SSDP has been one of the most
in 2014.
rewarding decisions of his life. His favorite
Miranda Gottlieb is a graduating Senior
part about SSDP and the individuals he has
at the University of Tennessee majoring in
met through it is that he no longer feels alone
Political Science and Hispanic Studies. Her
anymore in the fight for what he believes in.
combined experience as an intern at the New
His ultimate goal is to help usher in an era
Mexico Department of Health and the Drug
where people will not be stigmatized the
Policy Alliance greatly influenced her to begin
way he his been by his friends and family for
working on local advocacy projects and form
having an interest in drug reform. Kevin has
Students for Sensible Drug Policy on campus.
also spent considerable time volunteering for
Miranda is a Baker Scholar in the Howard
various harm reduction organizations.
Baker Center for Public Policy where she
Northeastern SSDP’s 3rd annual Perspectives
Matthew Getzin is a fourth year graduate
currently studies Native American cannabis
in Psychedelics in 2013. He has also been
student in Biomedical Engineering with a
writing on psychedelics and harm reduction
focus on medical imaging at Rensselaer
as an independent journalist for the past
Polytechnic Institute in Troy New, York, where
few years and has recently returned from his
he is a PhD candidate. He is the founder and
first volunteer experience with the ZENDO
President of the SSDP chapter at Rensselaer.
Project at Envision festival in Costa Rica last
They are focused on improving the drug
projects both domestically and abroad.
February.
education on campus for incoming and
Kyle Harrington is a junior at the
Major Neill Franklin, executive director of
existing students. Their hope is to engage
University of Connecticut, majoring in
their peers in meaningful discourse, promote
Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies.
safety & harm reduction, and provide better
They began their engagement with student
information than what is currently available
organizing in the fall of 2014. Since then, Kyle
for students in their campus. The Rensselaer
has been involved with SSDP, UConn’s Office
SSDP chapter prides themselves on being
of Diversity and Equity, University Cultural
informed decision makers and promoting
Centers, and is certified as a sexual assault
civic engagement among the campus
crisis counselor for the state of Connecticut.
community. Matthew hopes to focus on
They are currently working for UConn’s
brain imaging research upon completion of
Office of Diversity and Equity, aiding in the
graduate school.
organization and management of Title IX
Molly Gill is Director of Federal Legislative
cases, tracking trends of sexual and gender
longtime advocate of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy and harm reduction. From his role as Northeastern University SSDP President co-sponsoring the Boston ibogaine conference in 2009, to his current position at the Drug Policy Alliance as Program Associate for novel psychoactive substances. In 2011, he was a participant in the MAPS observational study investigating the use of ibogaine in treatment of opiate dependency, an experience he shared at
Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), is a 33-year police veteran who led multijurisdictional anti-narcotics task forces for the Maryland State Police and ran training for the Baltimore Police Department. After seeing several of his law enforcement friends killed in the line of fire while enforcing drug policies, Neill realized he needed to work to change these laws that cause so much harm but do nothing to reduce drug use.
Frances Fu '11 first got involved with SSDP in 2011, when she co-founded the Northwestern University chapter as a freshman. Since then, harm reduction has been a guiding principle behind all of her professional and personal pursuits, and she strives to educate people about the War on Drugs in a holistic manner. In the drug policy world, Frances has served on SSDP’s Board of Directors, and has worked with cannabis
Affairs at Families Against Mandatory Minimums. She works with federal legislators, affected family members, and other criminal justice stakeholders to promote sentences that protect public safety and that are
policy. Over the course of her undergraduate career she has worked on numerous grant applications, applied for and consulted on national scholarships, and successfully funded several undergraduate research
based violence on campus, and developing more effective prevention efforts for the university. Throughout their activism, Kyle has been dedicated to invigorating and strengthening the intersections between
proportionate to the offense. She also
different student movements.
serves as a commissioner on the District
Voracious autodidact Richard Hartnell
of Columbia Sentencing and Criminal Code
once got expelled from his hometown
Revision Commission.
community college for earning too many
11
credits. Subsequently, he joined a circus
Drugs, Mental Heath).
specializing in cannabis extract production
collective in Oakland and spent the next half
Kat Humphries '10, Compliance Specialist
and guiding patients on the optimal use of
decade touring the US and EU. More recently, he earned a full scholarship from the University of California, Santa Cruz to satisfy an ensuing curiosity about the intersection
in 2013 after spending the preceding year working as a legal clerk for an intellectual
extracts. He has written several books on the use of cannabis to treat cancer, and has presented at four conferences on this topic.
property law firm focusing on patent and
Dr. Mikhail Kogan is the Medical Director
trademark law. Kat initiated her involvement
of the GW Center for Integrative Medicine. He
in drug policy in 2010 when she founded a
received his medical degree from the Drexel
chapter of SSDP at the College of Charleston.
University College of Medicine and completed
In college, she changed marijuana policies at
further training at Montefiore Medical Center
a collegiate level, expanded her alma mater's
and The George Washington University
Good Samaritan Policy, lobbied at a national
Medical Center. In addition to multiple
level for drug policy reform, interned with
research and teaching responsibilities at
Mikayla Hellwich '10 spent 3 years as
the 9th Circuit Solicitor's Office's Juvenile
the GW Medical Center, Dr. Kogan currently
an SSDP chapter leader at the University of
Arbitration program, and served as the
serves as Associate Director of the Geriatrics
Maryland. In September 2014, she was hired
Chairwoman of the College's judicial board
Fellowship Program and provides geriatric
as the media relations associate for Law
for two years. Currently, Kat sits on the
consultations at George Washington
Enforcement Against Prohibition. At past
Colorado Juvenile Defender Center Board
University Hospital.
SSDP conferences, she’s spoken on panels
of Directors and previously served on the
about harm reduction and responsible
International Students for Sensible Drug
Laura Krasovitzky is Laura Krasovitzky is
partying. She’s currently an officer for the
Policy Board of Directors.
Mid-Atlantic Region’s Alumni Association,
Stephanie Izquieta '13 joined SSDP in as
Psymposia. She first became involved in drug
a junior in college when she founded SUNY
policy as an undergraduate in 2012 by co-
Binghamton’s SSDP chapter. She continued
hosting psychedelics meetings in Philadelphia
her involvement by serving as her chapter’s
and helping start the SSDP chapter at the
of entheogens and creativity; he majors in cognitive science and neuroscience while running the local SSDP chapter and an annual juggling convention. Last year he joined the Zendo Project, where he trained as a “sitter” for festival-goers struggling with difficult psychedelic experiences.
where she helps organize regional alumni events and camping trips. She lives in Washington, D.C., and is passionate about friendship, cats, and justice.
a social justice activist from Mexico City and Communications & Social Media Manager of
leader until her election as an SSDP Board
University of Pennsylvania. She worked as
Elizabeth Henneman is an undergraduate
Member. Prior to joining the Board, she
Volunteer Coordinator in 2013 and Marketing
neuroscience and psychology student at the
interned at the Drug Policy Alliance in New
Director in 2015 for Horizons Psychedelics
University of Colorado Boulder. Henneman
York City to immerse herself in the drug
Conference in New York and interned in the
has been the president of the CU Boulder
reform movement, and better her leadership
media department of the Drug Policy Alliance
chapter of Students for Sensible Drug Policy
skills. She is the current PR chair for Women
for six months in 2015. She is currently part
since May 2015, where she has organized 18
Grow NYC and works for the National
of the 2016 Caravan for Peace, Life and
different events including various fundraisers,
Cannabis Bar Association as their executive
Justice traveling from Honduras to New York
film screenings, and the annual Cannabis
assistant.
for UNGASS, as translator and representative
Symposium held on 4/20.
Rob Kampia co-founded the Marijuana
for the Drug Policy Alliance.
Penelope Hill is currently working as
Policy Project in 1995 and has served as
Lauren Krisai is Director of Criminal Justice
a Mobile Drug Safety Outreach Worker
its executive director ever since. Rob is the
Reform at Reason Foundation.
based in Melbourne, Australia. Penelope
architect of most of the state-level marijuana
currently volunteers with the Victorian
laws that have been enacted in the United
Alex Landau is a father, a community
AIDS Council, Save the Children Australia,
States since 2000. Most importantly, MPP
Homeless of Melbourne, and is an active
legalized marijuana in Colorado in 2012 and
member of the Enpsychedelia community
Alaska in 2014. Rob has done dozens of TV
radio program. She is also a co-founder of
interviews and debates, and testified before
SSDP Australia, President of SSDP Deakin
Congress and nine state legislatures. Rob
University, representative of the Oceania
graduated valedictorian of his high school
region within the International Working
class in Pennsylvania; served three months
Group for YouthRise, and Project Supervisor
in jail for growing marijuana for personal use;
for the Global Health Next Generation
was elected student body president of Penn
Network. Penelope is currently undertaking
State University; and graduated with honors
a Masters of International and Community
from Penn State with a major in Engineering
Development at Deakin University, Australia;
Science.
and holds a Master of Public Health;
Justin Kander '09 is the Research &
Social Justice Minor.
Development Coordinator for Aunt Zelda's,
Andrew Livingston '09 serves as a policy
Bachelor of Health Sciences, and Diploma of Community Services (Alcohol and Other
12
for Vicente Sederberg, joined the VS team
a nonprofit cannabis collective in California
member, and a human rights advocate dedicated to the transformation of law enforcement. Adopted in infancy by a white family, raised in primarily white communities, and educated in white schools, Alex was ignorant to the ways his black skin was viewed differently by normative society. In 2009, he survived an extreme case of brutality at the hands of Denver police officers, catalyzing his work as a community organizer with the Denver Justice Project and is a student at the University of Colorado Denver, majoring in Communication with a
analyst and economist for Vicente Sederberg
LLC. He first worked alongside the Vicente
at an established law firm, assisting in the
in January of 2012. She earned her B.A.
Sederberg team in 2012 during Colorado’s
launch of a local needle exchange program,
in political science from the University of
Amendment 64 campaign, which legalized
working for a UN Special Rapporteur, and
California at Berkeley, and is a graduate of
marijuana for adults. Andrew started
leading a monthly expungement clinic. She
Oaksterdam University. Kat lives and works
his career in drug policy while at Colgate
will be graduating in May and sitting for the
in Washington, D.C. and occasionally plays on
University and founded a chapter of Students
California Bar Exam in July.
the One Hitters softball team.
for Sensible Drug Policy in 2009. During this
Sarah Merrigan is a senior at the University of Nebraska Omaha majoring in
Dr. Vilmarie Fraguada Narloch, PsyD. '09, earned her doctorate in Clinical
Political Science. She founded the first SSDP
Psychology from Roosevelt University,
chapter in Nebraska in 2013 and has served
where she worked as a Research Assistant
as the chapter's president for the past three
at the Illinois Consortium on Drug Policy
years. She also serves on SSDP's Board of
and was a member and chapter leader of
Directors, where she is the Vice-Chair of
the RU chapter of SSDP. She is currently
the International Outreach Committee and
serving on the board of directors of SSDP.
time he focused his studies on the economics of illegal markets and the harms they create for societies around the world. At Vicente Sederberg, Andrew provides analysis on legal and regulatory matters as well as economic market projections for adult-use and medical marijuana laws in Colorado and around the world.
is involved with the Diversity, Awareness,
Dr. Narloch’s interests in drug education,
Murtaza Majeed is the International
Reflection and Education Committee. Since
access to treatment, and harm reduction
Coordinator for YouthRise has been working
June 2015 she has also worked as one
policy and practice have led her to numerous
on drug treatment, policymaking, advocacy
of SSDP's UNGASS Coordinator interns,
projects, including serving as a member of
on drug policy, and harm reduction services.
helping to organize Model UNGASS and the
the Chicago Consortium on College Alcohol
Murtaza has worked with Medicines du
upcoming demonstration at Madison Square
Harm Reduction, and the provision of
Monde and was the national training
Park. After graduating, Sarah hopes to
psychotherapy and harm reduction services
and resource center coordinator for the
continue working in the realm of international
to a variety of clients in the Chicagoland area.
Afghanistan National AIDS Control Program,
drug policy and social justice issues.
the first methadone clinic funded by the
Caroline Naughton is a Chicago-based
Melissa Meyer is a Georgetown Law grad
student activist who plants the seeds of
with a background startups, advocacy, and
future generations through sensible drug
health. After dealing with a life-threatening
policy education. As a former SSDP chapter
blood disease and experiencing the loss
leader, Caroline has worked to expand and
of two close friends to cancer, she started
connect the drug policy reform network
HealthMJ.com as a way to educate the public
on her campus and to equip its leadership
on the benefits of cannabis. HealthMJ is
with the tools necessary to thrive. This
especially focused on how cannabis can help
winter, Caroline helped organize a prison
Kendra McSweeney is a Professor of
cancer patients.
divestment campaign with Black Lives Matter
Geography at Ohio State University, with
Daniel Miles is a sophomore Political
at Northwestern University and continues
Global Fund and Afghanistan government was one of his organisation's achievements. Training and development of harm reduction programs, OST to other health staffs in Afghanistan was part of his responsibilities through the National Training and Resource Centre.
over 20 years of research experience with indigenous societies of eastern Honduras. Her and colleagues’ recent work on the devastating social and ecological effects of cocaine trafficking through Central America has received wide policy and media attention. She has won Ohio State’s highest teaching award. Her research has been funded by the Open Society Foundations, the National Geographic Society and the National Science Foundation, and published in Science and Proceedings of the National Academy of Science (PNAS).
Lauren Mendelsohn is a law student at the University of California, Irvine and currently serves on SSDP’s Board of Directors. She has been involved with SSDP since 2009 and led the chapter at UMD before starting the chapter at UCI Law. Some of her recent accomplishments include helping to found a cannabis law practice
Science and Philosophy major at The College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina. He is the Vice President of Students for Sensible Drug Policy there and has recently been responsible for expansions of naloxone access and the campus good samaritan
to build coalitions with other social justice groups on campus. As she approaches graduation, Caroline hopes that her leadership and allyship have helped cultivate a more cooperative and politically conscious campus culture.
& medical amnesty policies. Daniel is also
Steven Nelson is a reporter at US News
a DJ for his campus radio network and a
& World Report, where he frequently covers
staff writer for The Rival, an alternative
cannabis politics and policy as a regular beat
campus newspaper. He plans to work in drug
for one of the nation's oldest establishment
policy after college, attend law school, and
news sources.
participate in the judiciary.
Evan Nison '09 is the Executive Director
Kat Murti '09 has been actively involved
of NORML New Jersey, the co-founder and
with SSDP since January 2009, and currently
director of the NY Cannabis Alliance, and sits
serves as an Appointed Director on the
on the Board of Directors of Students for
Board of Directors, Secretary of the Board
Sensible Drug Policy. He also runs a cannabis
of Trustees, and Chair of the Diversity
specific public relations firm, NisonCo. As
Awareness Reflection and Education (SSDP
both a political activist and a professional
DARE) committee. She also edits the Monthly
media strategist, Nison has interacted
Mosaic. Kat was named an Alumni All Star in
successfully with the press, helping to spread
December of 2010 and a Spotlighted Alum
a responsible, fact-based message about
13
cannabis. He has been quoted in news
drug writer and scientist based in Brooklyn,
University of Nevada. He is also an avid skier
sources including the NY Times, Politico, USA
his current project is called "Anandamide
and an organic gardener.
Today, NBC New York, Bloomberg TV, and
or: the Cannabinoid": a graphic novel about
Forbes.
cannabis focusing on the intricacies of the
Cameron Price works as a communications
Amaya Ordorika is a researcher in
endocannabinoid system, the War on Weed,
human rights and drug policy at the Mexican Commission for the Defense and Promotion of Human Rights. She is also a member of ReverdeSer Colectivo a youth organization that strives to change drug policy in Mexico and end the war on drugs by working from a harm reduction from the global south
by the elderly. He graduated from Boston University with a BS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology before spending a number of years of the road collecting anecdotes of drug use from the Burners to the scientists to the underground medical use. He writes
perspective.
articles about the science of drugs and the
Jerry Otero, MA , is the Youth Policy
Alternet.
Manager for the Drug Policy Alliance. He is Founder and Director of Cre8tiveYouTH*ink, a NYC-based creative arts youth development collective. Formerly the Assistant Director of Family and Helpline Services at The Partnership for Drugfree Kids, Jerry has also served as Supervisor for High School Drug Education and Intervention Services at the
anecdotes of their use for publications like
Previously, she was a mental health counselor for adults and youth in the Boston area for three years. Lauren first became active in
to institute a drug policy which supports instead of punishes students. While he was at university he also wrote for and edited Salient, the weekly student newspaper. In 2013, he won Best Feature at the NZ Student Press Awards for a piece on marriage equality. He hosts an arts, culture and politics show on his local radio station, and in his
Jennifer Purdon is a Junior at the
represented the Nonviolent Radical Party, an NGO in Consultative Statues with the UN in New York, Geneva and Vienna covering the promotion and protection of human rights, international criminal law, the abolition of
Among other things, he currently coordinates
gifts, and growing the Sensible Society.
successful campaign to get the university
spare time, he listens to and plays music.
Lauren Padgett is SSDP's Development
possible, focusing primarily on events, major
of Wellington chapter of SSDP and led a
from 2008 to 2013. Since 1996, he has
the death penalty, women's right's, and the
to raise the funds that make SSDP's work
Last year he founded the Victoria University
Marco Perduca was a Senator in Italy
New York City Dept. of Education.
Officer and works with the executive team
reform of the UN Conventions on Drugs. Legalizziamo! (www.legalizziamo.it - let's legalize!) a campaign to promote the legal regulation of the production, consumption, and commerce of cannabis in Italy. He has a blog on HuffingtonPost.it and on twitter is @ perdukistan.
University of Connecticut majoring in Psychology and Health & Wellness through music. She currently serves as the President of the SSDP chapter at UCONN which continues to have a stellar presence on campus and in the surrounding communities. Jennifer is focused primarily on policy work and harm reduction on campus, including drug education & awareness, state-level marijuana legalization in Connecticut, the Amend the Rave Act campaign, and psychedelic/music therapy. She has also volunteered for a number of drug policy/ harm reduction organizations and causes
Jon Perri '04 is the Associate Campaigns
such as MAPS, ATRA, and the Zendo Project.
Director at Change.org. He has driven some
Most recently, she lobbied in favor of
of the largest digital advocacy campaigns in
marijuana legalization at the Connecticut
since. She is a Washington, DC native.
the world on issues including criminal justice
State Legislature earlier this month.
Lauren Parasconda is President/
reform, disability rights, and internet privacy. He helps manage a team of campaigners who
Garrett Reuscher is a Care Coordinator
drug policy reform after being diagnosed with autoimmune disease and has advocated for safe, legal access to medical cannabis ever
Alumni Chapter Leader for the University at Albany’s SSDP Chapter. She graduated from the UAlbany in Fall 2015 with her Bachelors in Psychology/Sociology. She will either be attending the University of Georgia or UAlbany in Fall 2016 to pursue her Masters in Social Work degree. She plans to concentrate in Substance Abuse as a counselor, and hopes to follow her dreams by getting involved with harm reduction and psychedelic-assisted therapy. She recently started her first dream job in her field working as a Behavioral Health Counselor at an In-patient substance abuse rehab. She is a certified yoga teacher, loves going on hikes, crafts, exercising, reading, knitting, cooking, and selling handmade soap!
Lex Pelger is the host of Psymposia. A
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and the staggering benefits of medical use
advisor at the New Zealand Drug Foundation.
give petition starters the tools to turn their stories into movements and engage Change. org's more than 120 million users. Previously, Jon served as Associate Director of Students for Sensible Drug Policy.
at Green Door Behavioral Health where he provides health education to clients to increase their understanding of behavioral and physical health conditions. He teaches skills that promote independence and recovery, including coping skills and symptom
Brett Phelps is a law student, beard
management skills, often promoting harm
enthusiast, and longtime drug policy reform
reduction techniques and facilitating access
advocate from Farmington, New Mexico.
to preventative and health promotion
As SSDP chapter leader at the University
services in the community. Garrett previously
of New Mexico School of Law, he works to
worked as the D.C. Campus Coordinator for
change drug laws at the local, state, and
Students for Sensible Drug Policy where
federal levels. Prior to law school Brett was
he collaborated with D.C. chapters in
an instructor at New Mexico Highlands
successfully fighting for the legalization of
University, where he taught English
marijuana in our nation’s capital.
composition. Brett holds an M.A. in English
Dan Riffle is a senior legislative assistant
from New Mexico Highlands University and a B.S. in Business Administration from the
in the U.S. House of Representatives. Prior to his work on Capitol Hill, he spent six
years at the Marijuana Policy Project. As a
of Law after a career as a Foreign Service
leader and expert on medical cannabis
state lobbyist, Dan helped draft and pass
Officer. Postings in Budapest, Munich, and
patient advocacy and, alongside the
legislation in Illinois, Vermont, Maryland
Moscow before and after the fall of the
American Herbal Products Association
and Washington, D.C. Later, as a federal
Berlin Wall gave her a deep appreciation for
(AHPA), has created the first industry
lobbyist, he led the effort to pass the historic
the power of free speech. After law school,
standards in the areas of Distribution,
Rohrabacher-Farr amendment. Before joining
Catherine clerked on the Sixth Circuit
Cultivation, Analytics, and Manufacturing,
MPP, Dan practiced law as an assistant
Court of Appeals before starting work as
Packaging, and Labeling.
prosecutor in Ohio. He has also worked in
an associate at Steptoe & Johnson, LLC.
the Ohio Governor’s office, the Ohio EPA, and
After leaving Steptoe, Catherine joined the
In the 90’s, Kemba Smith Pradia went
Columbus Legal Aid Society, and founded
appellate group at the U.S. Trustees Program
a Southern California law firm that serves
at the Department of Justice and was
cannabis industry clients.
interim Executive Director for a non-profit
Emma Rodríguez Romero '10 is the
in Washington, D.C. that teaches chess to
founder of the first SSDP chapter in Mexico back in 2010. She graduated from the Faculty of Political and Social Sciences of the National Autonomous University of Mexico with a degree of public administration and political science. She is also a Member of Register of Young Researchers of the UNAM, has been
children. Catherine is an adjunct professor of appellate writing at George Mason School of Law. She lives outside of Washington D.C. with her husband and two children, one of whom graduated from a green light school. She also raises African Pied Crows and is licensed to rehabilitate wild birds.
from college student to drug dealer’s girlfriend to domestic violence victim to federal prisoner. After enduring a 3.5 year turbulent relationship, Kemba was sentenced to 24.5 years in federal prison. Often labeled the “poster child” for reversing a disturbing trend in the rise of lengthy sentences for first-time, nonviolent drug offenders, Kemba’s story was featured on a variety of television shows and featured in several publications. The support prompted then President Clinton to commute her 24.5
a consultant for the report Observatory
Jeremy Sharp is a senior at the University
years sentence to time served–six and a half
youth rights Mexico City, and studious of
of North Georgia, where he is studying
years–in December, 2000. Kemba shares her
criminalization faced by young people due to
Political Science with a concentration in
traumatic real life experience in her newly
prohibition in Mexico.
pre-law. He has founded 2 SSDP chapters,
released book, “Poster Child: The Kemba
Abdullah Saeed is a writer and video
currently serves on SSDP's Board of
Smith Story.”
Directors, Board of Peachtree NORML and
Zara Snapp was born in Mexico, raised
producer at VICE, where he contributes a regular column called Weediquette that covers both the personal and the political when it comes to cannabis. He's explored marijuana and the media as both an investigative journalist and an entertainer and sees many opportunities for bright young people to enter the field.
Jerónimo Saldaña is the legislative and organizing coordinator for the movement building team at the Drug Policy Alliance, where he works to grow the movement to end the war on drugs. Prior to joining the Drug Policy Alliance, Saldaña worked as a political organizer for a Service Employees International Union (SEIU) affiliate advocating on behalf of working families and helping union members elect strong advocates to elected office. Jeronimo has also worked on environmental justice, civic engagement, and immigrant rights while serving as a program associate at the Open Society Foundations and New World Foundation. Saldaña is a native East L.A. Chicano with a B.A. in Chican/o studies from the University of California Santa Barbara.
Catherine Sevcenko is the Associate Director of Litigation for FIRE. She graduated magna cum laude from George Mason School
is a student Board member of Georgia Overdose Prevention. He was instrumental in lobbying for passage of GA HB 965 (GSP and Naloxone Access) which has saved 429 lives since April 24th 2001 in his home state of Georgia. Jeremy co-wrote “Student Synopsis On Current Peer Overdose Endemic” which was used in the House Judiciary NonCivil Committee hearings by the Georgia Legislators. Jeremy has been personally, negatively impacted by the Drug War. He hopes his life work will be to contribute to ending corrupt and inept policies. He reflects, “I hope my children do not have to live in an America where their rights are diluted and diminished by a system that operates on the presumption of serving justice.”
Steph Sherer is founder and Executive Director of Americans for Safe Access (ASA), Director of Innovations of the International Cannabis and Cannabinoid Institute (ICCI), and founding member of the International Medical Cannabis Patients Coalition (IMCPC). ASA is the largest national memberbased organization of patients, medical professionals, scientists, and concerned citizens promoting safe and legal access to cannabis for therapeutic use and research. Steph has become the foremost international
in the United States and currently lives in Mexico City. She has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Colorado at Denver and a Masters in Public Policy from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, where she was a Truman Scholar and Public Service Fellow. Her work for the Kellogg Foundation, the National Democratic Institute, the Denver Tent City Initiative, Mi Casa Resource Center, and SSDP focused on issues of comprehensive sexuality education, housing and homelessness, judicial reform, global drug policy reform, and democracy and governance programs. Zara is part of the Secretariat of the Global Commission and the author of Dictionary of Drugs.
Zoe Steinsnyder is a sophomore at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a brother of the co-ed national service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega. She is from the Philadelphia area and a die-hard Flyers fan. In her chapter, Zoe is the Service Coordinator Chair, meaning she organizes service events and reaches out to members of the community about SSDP and how it ties to helping others. Service is something Zoe deems extremely important and knows that
15
service can help not only the recipients of
Colorado college campuses.
Shaleen Title '02 is a co-founding partner
service but also to those who serve.
Elise Szabo is the SSDP Chapter Leader at
of THC Staffing Group, an inclusion-focused
Kim Stiens is an operations and human
Kent State University in Ohio. Elise first caught
resources professional currently working at Vox
wind of SSDP through MAPS while writing a
Media with a passion for improving the human
research paper on the benefits of hallucinogens
experience at work. Previously, she worked in
in psychotherapy for a high school English
non-profits, including The Management Center
class, and she got involved as an SSDP member
and the Marijuana Policy Project, where she
during her first year at Kent State. She enjoys
assisted with the hiring process while doing
organizing annual Know Your Rights events,
resume reviews on the side. She’s been told
promoting honest drug education, and
more than once that her cover letters were
spreading awareness of Kent's 911 Good
among the best the hiring manager has ever
Samaritan Policy. This year, Elise is excited to be
read, and is always happy to give cover letter
collaborating with other Ohio chapters to lobby
tips, review a resume, or help connect people
for statewide medical amnesty, and her chapter
with each other. Kim graduated in 2008 from
is working with Ohioans for Medical Marijuana
The College of Idaho.
and the Marijuana Policy Project in an effort
Marijuana Majority.
For over a decade Katie Stone has been
to legalize medical marijuana in Ohio. Elise is
Sanho Tree is a Fellow at the Institute for
studying Philosophy and aspires to work in the
Policy Studies and has been director of its
drug policy reform movement after graduation.
Drug Policy Project since 1998. The project
advocacy. She is the current Director of
Maia Szalavitz is the author of Unbroken
has worked on many aspects of international
Alumni Relations with SSDP at UC Davis
Brain: A Revolutionary New Way of
where she graduated with a BS in Community
Understanding Addiction, which is published
Development in 2015. After completing field
by St. Martin’s Press this month. She is a
research in Cambodia for her Honors thesis,
neuroscience journalist who has covered
Katie realized the intersections of drug policy
addiction and drug policy for nearly 30 years,
reform, human rights, and environmental
for publications ranging from TIME and the New
justice. This lead her to the MA program in
York Times to High Times and VICE. She’s author
Transformative Leadership at CIIS in San
or co-author of seven books, including Help At
Francisco where her research is focused on
Any Cost, the first book to expose the "tough
psychedelic studies and ecopsychology. She
love" industry and the harm it does to youth
is currently an intern at Drug Policy Alliance
and families.
political messaging. He has been featured in
in Oakland, where she is assisting with a
J. MiakodaTaylor has spent her life serving
in hundreds of print and broadcast interviews.
working to end the War on Drugs through grassroots organizing and social justice
qualitative study on social responsibility in the cannabis industry. In her spare time, she is co-founding a public benefit corporation that drives social change through cannabis funding.
16
as a bridge builder across dis-membered sectors of society, dedicated to supporting individuals and organizations to leverage adversity towards resilience, power and
Drew Stromberg '09 is SSDP's Program
freedom. She developed much of the
Director. He oversees Outreach Coordinators
Fierce Allies practices through her work
and the Campus Coordinator program. Drew
teaching emotional and social intelligence
got involved in Students for Sensible Drug Policy
to incarcerated populations. She is a public
in 2009 when he founded the chapter at West
speaker, coach, trainer, facilitator, mediator
Virginia University. Drew presided over the
and strategy consultant, with over two
WVU chapter from 2009 to 2011 and interned
decades of experience as an executive and
at the national office in Washington, D.C. in the
consultant facilitating leadership development,
summer of 2010. For Colorado’s Amendment 64
sustainable organizational change, and conflict
campaign, Drew built a specialized phone bank
resolution with organizations locally, nationally
tool which students and activists from across
and internationally. An avid meditator, yogi,
the country used to make more than 18,000
dancer and photographer, Miakoda has been
phone calls to Colorado voters in support of
awarded several fellowships to conduct photo-
Amendment 64. Additionally, Drew helped
ethnographic studies of diverse cultures. Her
coordinate and oversee the on-the-ground
work has been exhibited her work throughout
student-oriented GOTV effort in the final days
the world, most notably at the Metropolitan
of the campaign, where volunteers engaged
Museum of Art and as part of the United
with more than 10,000 student voters on six
Nations World Conference Against Racism.
marijuana industry recruiting firm. As an attorney specializing in marijuana regulations, she has helped draft state cannabis laws with the Marijuana Policy Project and provides regulatory expertise for leading consulting firm 4Front Advisors. Shaleen has won several awards for her advocacy work and her efforts to bring more women and people of color into drug policy reform, including the Hunter S. Thompson Young Attorney Award and the High Times Freedom Fighter Award. She is an SSDP Trustee and a founding board member of the Minority Cannabis Business Association and
drug policy over the years including source country eradication, interdiction, alternative development, harm reduction, and diplomacy. The project also works on domestic policy with a focus on tax and regulate models of cannabis control. Most importantly, the project develops new mechanisms to bypass the political paralysis that normally prevents a genuine debate about reform. Tree's other interests include culture wars, third-rail politics, and over a dozen documentaries and has appeared
Sarah Trumble is the Senior Policy Counsel for Social Policy & Politics at Third Way, a center-left think tank in Washington, D.C. There she specializes in reaching moderates on the full range of social issues—from abortion, immigration, and marijuana to guns, gay equality, religious liberty, and mobility. In her role, she serves as the expert on the nittygritty of social policy legislation, messaging, and politics, and she is an authority on the values and perspectives of Americans in the middle when it comes to the most contentious social issues. Her work has been featured in a variety of media outlets, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, POLITICO, Media Matters, and Voice of America. She holds a B.A. in global studies and a minor in Spanish from the University of California, Santa Barbara and a joint J.D./M.P.P. from the George Washington University.
8
Kenneth W. Tupper is an Adjunct Professor
as Cultural attaché of the US Embassy in France,
Tyler Williams ’11 is SSDP's Outreach
in the School of Population and Public Health
Israeli ambassador to Paris, France’s TF1 lead
Coordinator for the Heartland, Midwest, and
at the University of British Columbia, where
news anchor, Director General for Democracy
Mountain regions. Tyler started his involvement
his research interests include: psychedelic
in the Council of Europe, and more. Sara has
with SSDP as a freshman at the University of
studies; the cross-cultural and historical uses of
also been awarded certificates and diplomas for
Connecticut. During his time, Tyler successfully
psychoactive substances; public, professional
attending trainings in libertarian theory, human
lobbied the University of Connecticut
and school-based drug education; and creating
rights, non-violent communication, grass-roots
Undergraduate Student Government to pass
healthy public policy to maximize benefits and
activism and student organizing, given by many
a statement of position in support of ending
minimize harms from currently illegal drugs.
prestigious institutions such as Libek, Center for
marijuana prohibition. He has served as editor-
Kenneth’s Ph.D. dissertation (and earlier M.A.
Peace Studies in Croatia, the U.S. Department of
in-chief for the UConn Free Press, worked at the
thesis) in Education developed the concept of
State, the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
campus radio station, 91.7FM WHUS as a music
“entheogenic education,” a theoretical frame
and the World Affairs Council.
DJ and producer of UConn SSDP Radio. He now
for understanding how psychedelic plants and
Gather ’round now children, I’ll tell you a tale. A
produces This Week in Drugs, a podcast about
substances—in particular the Amazonian brew
story as old as the rustiest nail. It all begins in
all things drug policy.
a place called Ohi-a. Afternoon hotter than the
Rachel Beth Wissner is Co-President of
swampiest bayou. Doctors said Chris Wallis
the SUNY New Paltz chapter of SSDP. She is
Lyn Ulbricht is the mother of Ross Ulbricht,
'07 didn’t scream too much. Momma said the
a regular contributor to the Monthly Mosaic,
creator of the Silk Road website. Ross, a
newborn barely fussed. But sho nuff as soon as
the SSDP Diversity Awareness Reflection and
peaceful libertarian and first time offender,
he got home, little Chris raised up his fist and
Education (DARE) committee’s newsletter.
received a double life sentence without parole
said “Let it be known – I’m not here to piss and
Rachel interns for Family Law and Cannabis
for all non-violent charges. Ross has recently
I’m not here to moan, but I’ll raise hell with a
Alliance, a clearinghouse for local, state, and
appealed this sentence, as well as pre-trial
microphone.” And sho nuff he did, through his
national information related to marijuana
and trial violations. Since Ross’s arrest Lyn has
school days and more. Chris still hasn’t stopped
policy, Child Protective Services, and family
worked to bring awareness to his case and how
opposing stupid wars. Now his camera is the
court. As chapter leader at New Paltz, she led
it threatens our freedoms in the digital age. She
tool he uses most. And he ain't gunna stop 'til
the campaign to equalize the campus alcohol
also works to raise money to fund his appeal
the drug war is toast.
and marijuana policy, and she is currently
through www.freeross.org.
Jane West is a non-stop entrepreneur
working on the statewide campaign to end
Lauren Vazquez is the Fired Up Lawyer.
committed to changing the face of women in
She also created the nation's first and only pro
cannabis–both as consumers and as leaders.
applicants with previous criminal convictions.
bono legal clinic for medical cannabis patients
The name Jane West is synonymous with legal
Cassie Young is the president of SSDP at Ohio
at SPARC collective in San Francisco. She has
cannabis. As Founder of Women Grow, the
State University. Her chapter hosted forums
worked for over a decade to end cannabis
largest professional network in the cannabis
for competing Ohio legalization ballot initiatives
prohibition and advance alternatives to the
industry, Jane is a thought leader and vocal
and she has worked with two campaigns within
failed war on drugs. In 2011, she launched her
personality in the nucleus of the national
the past year. She does policy and manages a
law practice providing advice and legal services
cannabis network. Her magnetic personality
behavioral economics grant for a child support
to advocacy groups, collectives, cooperatives,
and passion for the cause make her a sought
agency and will be graduating in spring 2016
vendors, and cultivators. Lauren is also on the
after speaker and advisor. A proud, daily
with master's degrees in social work and public
faculty of Oaksterdam University and previously
cannabis user, Jane is changing perceptions
policy and management. She has focused her
served as the National Deputy Director of
swiftly by providing insider access to the legal
research on drug policy and criminal justice
Communications for the Marijuana Policy
lifestyle.
reform, and being a staunch intersectionalist,
Project.
Aurora Wetherill '14 is an SSDP alumni
she believes we must critically examine the
Sara Velimirovic is SSDP's UNGASS
from Dickinson College, where she served as
Coordinator Intern, currently studying in Paris
a chapter leader during the 2014-2015 school
in a Master program of International Security at
year. Under her leadership, the SSDP chapter
Paris School of International Affairs. Originally
was successful in passing and enacting a Good
Movement.
from Serbia, she worked as a youth group
Samaritan Policy, overcoming many obstacles
Oliver Zerrudo is a 5th year Bay Area student
coordinator for the Helsinki Committee for
with the campus administration to make it
at the University of California, Berkeley. Originally
Human Rights in Serbia for two years, where
happen. She also organized her chapter's
from the Phillipines, Oliver has been raised in
she was in charge of various projects aimed
participation in a lobby day in support of
San Francisco to care about social justice and
at promoting peace and reconciliation among
medical marijuana in Pennsylvania. Outside of
People of Color politics. Oliver likes eggnog,
her peers. Sara was also the co-director of
fighting the drug war and the patriarchy, her
zombie movies, and politics. He aspires to
a student organization called Distinguished
interests include dancing, camping, and keeping
complete his thesis on time, and graduate with
Lecture Series, which hosted conferences by
it wierd.
greater sense of what to do for money with an
ayahuasca—can function as cognitive tools for learning.
established professionals and academics such
SUNY schools’ discrimination against college
“anything over prohibition” philosophy in order to promote rights, public health and safety, social justice, and ultimately, to preserve the
Ethnic Studies degree.
17
MAPS
Possession of Illicit Substances
Need help?
Virginia’s laws are excellent examples of laws in desperate
SSDP Rangers ensure the safety and security of the SSDP
need of changing by SSDP members and allies. For example,
community every night and are available to assist with concerns
possession of any amount of marijuana could result in a
or contact SSDP staff as needed. SSDP’s Emergency Hotline will
misdemeanor, 30 days in jail, and a $500 fine. Be sensible.
connect you with a member of SSDP’s staff 24/7. Dial 202-3935280, ext 9 to be connected to a staff member.
18
A
B
C
A
Registration
B
Exhibitors
C
Exhibitors, SSDP t-shirt sales, book sales, CAT points entering station, headshots (Saturday 1:15-3:15pm)
Local Recovery Group Meetings SMART Recovery Meetings Saturday
8:30 - 10:00 am and 10:00 -
11:30 am Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church 1 Chevy Chase Circle, N.W. Washington, DC 20015
Alcoholics Anonymous DuPont Circle Club - 1623 Connecticut Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20009 Fridays, Saturdays, & Sundays
8:30pm
Download the conference app to view sessions, speakers, and events at ssdp.org/ssdp2016/app
Patrick Truman (301) 412-2144 Tony Laurel (571) 249-5911
19
CONGR ATUL ATIONS TO THIS YEAR’S SSDP AWARD NOMINEES! Change Beyond Campus
Outstanding Alumnus (in service to
Outstanding Student Organizer
Bowling Green State University California State University Long Beach Irish SSDP chapters Ohio State University University of California Davis University of New Mexico School of Law University of Tennessee Knoxville
SSDP) Michael Blunk Kat Humphries Kat Murti Dr. Vilmarie Narloch A. Kathryn Parker Julie Roberts Sam Tracy Chris Wallis Rachelle Yeung
Miranda Gottlieb Elizabeth Henneman Cameron Price Farrah Pruskauer Emma Guadalupe Rodriguez Romero
Dave Borden Friend of SSDP Marijuana Policy Project Marijuana Today Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies Students for Liberty This Week in Drugs Women Grow
Morgan Lesko Online Activism Arizona State University Penelope Hill Sarah Merrigan University of Connecticut
Outstanding Alumnus (in service to drug policy reform) Graham de Barra Mikayla Hellwich Mike Liszewski Evan Nison Thom Silverstein Shaleen Title
Outstanding Chapter (2 winners will be selected) College of Charleston Dickinson College Florida Gulf Coast University
Sarah Saucedo
Rising Star Chapter Colorado School of Mines Guilford College Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Rocky Mountain College Salem College University of California Berkeley University of California Santa Cruz Yale University
Northwestern University Ohio State University
Rising Star Activist
Reed College
Gunnar Aas Moronfolu Adeniyi Matthew Aragon Sarah Diem Richard Hartnell Penelope Hill Brian Messina
SUNY Albany SUNY New Paltz Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico University of California Davis University of Connecticut University of New Mexico Law School University of Tennessee Knoxville University of Texas Austin
Outstanding Student Activist Maryanne Alderson Sarah Diem Miranda Gottlieb Dan Kirby Sarah Merrigan Sara Velimirovic Cassie Young
Scott & Cyan Banister Campus Change College of Charleston Dickinson College George Washington University Salem College University of California Santa Barbara University of Tennessee Knoxville
Stuart Ableson Goodwill Bergstrom Foundation Berkeley Patients Group René and Susan Ruiz Marijuana Business Daily Verdes Foundation
Aditionally, there will be a few awards presented for which nominees will not be announced. Those include: •
Fundraising Award
•
Lifetime Achievement Award
•
Unsung Hero Award
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