Hamilton Morris: r/Psychonaut and the DEA

Hamilton Morris joins Divergent States to unpack a bizarre twist in the drug war: the DEA is using Reddit posts and trip reports as courtroom “evidence.”What happens when harm-reduction advice and half-baked comments are weaponized to criminalize psychedelics? And how do communities like r/Psychonaut survive in that climate?In this wide-ranging conversation, we cut through hype and paranoia to tackle the future of psychedelic research, regulation, and responsibility.We dig into the ethical tightrope between transparency and safety, the flawed logic of prohibition, and why silence isn’t a sustainable strategy. Hamilton breaks down his firsthand experience attending the DOI scheduling hearing, his efforts to build a scientifically vetted user-report journal, and how communities like r/Psychonaut are caught in the crosshairs of policy and paranoia.Whether you’re a seasoned psychonaut or just exploring the space, this episode cuts through the hype and hysteria to ask the real questions: How do we speak honestly about altered states in a world that punishes honesty?Topics include: • The DEA’s use of Reddit as courtroom “evidence” • Why trip reports matter and how they’re being misused • The dangers of pharmacological elitism and spiritual gatekeeping • The real meaning of harm reduction in an outlaw culture • The future of psychedelic research, regulation, and responsibility🎶 Featuring music by Flintwick | Support us on Patreon for exclusive episodes & bonus content. 💬 Reddit: r/Psychonaut | IG: @divergentstates | #SetSettingGuide Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Context of the Episode 02:50 The Importance of Transparency in Psychedelic Discussions 06:04 Balancing Honesty and Safety in Sharing Experiences 10:33 Community Responsibility and the Impact of Online Discourse 15:54 The Role of Advocacy and Legal Support in Drug Policy Reform 20:08 Navigating the Challenges of Scientific Research and Public Perception 24:08 The Importance of Evidence in Psychedelic Communities 29:20 Navigating the Wild West of Online Drug Discussions 31:06 Spirituality vs. Scientific Analysis in Psychedelics 34:00 The Dangers of Pharmacological Elitism 37:04 Addressing the Fentanyl Crisis: A Call for Rational Drug Policy 44:06 The Future of Psychedelic Therapy and Accessibility 48:28 Integrating Cannabis into Society 50:13 Destigmatization and Education on Psychedelics 52:39 The Hype and Risks of Psychedelics 56:43 Understanding Challenging Experiences with Psychedelics 01:01:45 Cumulative Impact of Substance Use 01:07:34 Bringing Psychedelics into the Open Send us Fan MailFiresideProject.orgDownload the app or text/call 62-FIRESIDEZendo ProjectOur listeners get 10% off the Zendo Project SIT Program with the code DIVERGENTS10Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showSpecial Thanks to our Macrodosers, Super D and Mike, and our Thumbprint Tier member, Angie on Patreon!  https://linktr.ee/3L1T3Mod