The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie

Kat Murti: How To End the Drug War for Good

May 15, 2024

Kat Murti, former Cato Institute staffer, discusses drug policy reform with Nick Gillespie. They touch on youth activism, marijuana legalization, harm reduction, safe injection sites, and SSDP's work in psychedelics, emphasizing the need for practical actions over empty promises.

01:13:09

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Episode guests

Kat Murti

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Quick takeaways

Public support for marijuana legalization does not align with high arrest rates and incarceration for minor possession.

Successful drug policy reforms incorporate harm reduction strategies like safe use sites and education to address social challenges.

SSDP advocates for psychedelic research protection and opposes DEA restrictions to foster scientific advancements in drug therapy.

Deep dives

Pushing for Drug Policy Reform and Ending Prohibition

Over 90% of Americans from all political beliefs support the legalization of marijuana and advocate against incarceration for its use. Despite this strong public opinion, arrests for cannabis possession remain high, with substantial numbers in jail for minor amounts. Even in places where cannabis is legal, arrests have surged, especially among young people. Efforts like the Students for Sensible Drug Policy work to challenge the war on drugs and advocate for comprehensive drug policy reform.

Introduction

2min

Empowering Youth Advocacy for Sensible Drug Policies

17min

Reforming Drug Policy for Safer Practices

7min

Exploring the Influence of Environment and Stigma on Drug Use

5min

Promoting Safe Drug Use Spaces for Community Well-being

5min

SSDP and Psychedelic Research

6min

Evolution of Drug Policy Reform Movements

26min

Aligning the Psychedelic Community with Drug Decriminalization Movement

4min

Today's guest is Kat Murti, the new executive director of Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP), the country's oldest and most influential student group challenging the war on drugs. Before taking the helm at SSDP, Kat was a longtime staffer at the libertarian Cato Institute, a founder of Feminists for Liberty, and an SSDP chapter head at the University of California, Berkeley, where she attended undergrad. Reason's Nick Gillespie talks with Murti about the role that young people in particular can play in ending prohibition, why marijuana has yet to be legalized at the federal level, and whether Donald Trump and Republicans or Joe Biden and Democrats are actually worse when it comes to drug policy reform.

This interview was taped live at an event cosponsored by The Psychedelic Assembly in midtown Manhattan.

00:00:00—Introduction

00:02:03—What is Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP)?

00:05:59—The Drug War is far from over

00:08:45—Don't let politicians get away with empty legalization promises

00:10:45—What's the best legalization model?

00:16:26—How do we activate the youth vote?

00:19:10—Harm reduction vs. prohibition

00:22:51—Drug education and safety

00:26:33—ALL of us are on drugs

00:27:17—The Rat Park Experiment

00:29:30—How to make safe injection sites Work

00:34:48—SSDP & psychedelics

00:40:50—Shifting attitudes toward drug legalization

00:46:45—Kat Murti's career in drug policy

00:49:19—How to pursue drug policy wins despite polarization

00:51:19—Audience Q&A

Previous appearance: "Kat Murti: 'The State Has Been One of the Largest Perpetrators of Gender Inequality and Violence.'"

Today's sponsors:

ZBiotics. ZBiotics Pre-Alcohol Probiotic Drink is the world's first genetically engineered probiotic. It was invented by Ph.D. scientists to tackle rough mornings after drinking. Make ZBiotics your first drink of the night, drink responsibly, and you'll feel your best tomorrow. Get 15 percent off by going to ZBiotics/TRI and using the code TRI at checkout.
The Psychedelic Assembly. The Psychedelic Library is a coworking space, library, community center, and event space in midtown Manhattan. It's a place to forge synchronistic and meaningful connections in the psychedelic space. And a place to Find the Others.
The Reason Speakeasy. The Reason Speakeasy is a monthly, unscripted conversation in New York City with outspoken defenders of free thinking and heterodoxy. Go here for an online archive, and go here to sign up for information about upcoming events.

Video Editor: Ian Keyser

The post Kat Murti: How To End the Drug War for Good appeared first on Reason.com.

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The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie

Kat Murti: How To End the Drug War for Good

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Pushing for Drug Policy Reform and Ending Prohibition

Challenges and Successes in Drug Decriminalization and Legalization

Advocating for Psychedelic Research and Fighting DEA Restrictions

Shift in Drug Policies

Challenges and Opportunities in Drug Reform

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts