Steve Rolles on regulating psychedelics, and what comes after the War on Drugs

Transform is a UK-based drug reform NGO which has worked for 30 years advising governments around the world on drug decriminalization and legalization. Its arguably the leading international think-tank on the topic. Its present director is Steve Rolles, author of Legalizing Drugs: How to End the War.

Steve is the co-author of Transform’s new book, How To Regulate Psychedelic Drugs. The book makes useful advice on what should be in regulation, including proper public education about risks and harms, and proper support for those who get harmed - both of which Steve and I agree are lacking.

I interviewed Steve about the report. We discuss:

What the world could look like after the war on drugs?

How clinical use of psychedelics accounts for 0.01% of total psychedelic use, yet dominates 99% of public discourse on psychedelics.

Why good safety messaging is a crucial part of regulation, and how to get that safety messaging out there.

How to finance harm reduction initiatives, and whether to use tax revenues from psychedelics and other drugs.

Why psychedelic businesses should have licenses, and face sanctions including being shut down or prosecuted if they breach those licenses.

Why psychedelics can make people boring dickheads.

Why New York cannabis legalization is a ‘hot mess’.

Why safe drug consumption sites have become caught up in the culture war.

And finally, whether Latin America could ever hope for a future not dominated by cartels.

Видео Steve Rolles on regulating psychedelics, and what comes after the War on Drugs канала Jules Evans