40 - Radical Approaches to Mental Health and the Future of Psychedelic Therapy with Robert Laurie

Dr. T and Truth Fairy welcome guest Robert Laurie to the show to talk about radical approaches to medical health and the ongoing fight for the recognition and legalization of cannabis and psychedelic medicines. Robert is a pioneer in psychedelic law and policy, the founder of Ad Lucem Law Corporation, and has been instrumental in advancing medical access to cannabis and psilocybin internationally. Robert shares his insights on the future of psychedelic therapy with Dr. T. and Truth Fairy.Robert discusses how he has represented many cases in the psychedelic space but the focus of his work has primarily shifted to looking at constitutional arguments. He points out such areas as opening dispensaries, operating psychedelic healing centers, and making psychedelics available on reserves through retail dispensaries. He explains that he collaborates with and represents academics, scientists, MDs, researchers and elders in his quest to shape policy in favour of cannabis and psilocybin.  Truth Fairy, Dr. T, and Robert examine the history of cannabis prohibition, how cannabis use compares to tobacco and alcohol use in terms of lethality rates, the rigidity of government views on psychedelics, and how policy aims to combat the ingrained structures that stand against the proliferation of psychedelic medicines. Robert’s opinions and outlook are shaped by personal experience, years of study, and legal expertise in the realm of psychedelic use. He sheds light on what he believes is the innate right of humankind to access plant-based medicines and why governments tend to oppose that right.  “I mean, I think it's fair to say that there's probably been tons of scientific research by both military and medical and pharmaceutical. But what it boils down to is, you know, just take smoking cessation and psychedelics, for example. I mean, psychedelics, you know, promise major disruption to these well-established and entrenched hallowed halls, including tobacco, alcohol, pharmaceuticals, and the government isn't, I think, sure what to do with all of this.” - Robert Laurie__ About Robert Laurie:Robert graduated from the faculty of Political Science and International Relations at the University of British Columbia and earned his law degree from the University of Oxford. He has been practicing law since 2006, and is recognized as an accomplished lawyer, international consultant, and public speaker.Part of Robert’s practice is committed to improving medical patient access and facilitate drug laws for cannabis, psychedelics, and sacred plant medicines. Robert advised Dr. Bruce Tobin and the TheraPsil Alliance litigation team (first Section 56 CDSA medical exemption for psilocybin in Canada). He was one of the Decriminalize Nature Canada Petition drafters, part of a national campaign to decriminalize restricted plant medicines and fungi in Canada. His goal is to help provide more options for doctors and treatments for anxiety, depression, addiction, and PTSD.Robert is a Special Advisor to Gateway Proven Strategies (GPS Global), [JB1] a Denver-based cannabis management consultancy firm operating globally, and serves as a board advisor to MAPS Canada, the Last Prisoner Project, and the Psychedelic Association of Canada. He is an advisor to the Heroic Hearts Project UK, a founder in the McKenna Academy of Natural Philosophy, and a director with the Ecuador Amazon Restoration Project.Website: AdLucemLaw.comRobert Laurie on LinkedIn__Contact Punk Therapy:Patreon: Patreon.com/PunkTherapyWebsite: PunkTherapy.comEmail: [email protected] Contact Truth Fairy: Email: [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.