With public initiatives to legalize cannabis and psilocybin currently on the ballots in Arizona and Oregon, Gary Smith wrote an article for Chacruna Chronicles explaining the legalization process and how it may impact the plant medicine industry.
When legislatures and voters are at odds on certain issues, including plant medicines like cannabis and psilocybin, public initiatives like Arizona’s Prop 207 give popular movements a way forward. If passed, the initiative would legalize adult-use cannabis and serve as a unique example of an industry that wrote its own laws and placed itself outside the purview of legislation. While public initiatives can and do make a difference, Gary emphasizes the importance of public education as it may take generations to overcome centuries of propaganda and misinformation about these substances.
Gary is a leading voice on cannabis legislation in Arizona. He’s the founder and president of the Arizona Cannabis Bar Association, which is committed to educating lawyers and the public about cannabis law and responsible legislation. He also authored Psychedelia Lex, which is the first book to examine laws governing psychedelics.