The SXSW organizers revealed this week a list of over 450 sessions that will be featured at the conference, which is set to begin in March. There are several panels on legal marijuana, and 13 sessions that focus on psychedelics. The conference’s focus is shifting as cannabis enters the mainstream and psychedelics become the new big thing.
The sessions on MDMA, psilocybin and other substances are part of a new psychedelics-specific track at SXSW 2024, one of two dozen different themed focus areas to be featured at the festival. The description of the event says: “As therapeutic uses of psychedelics become more mainstream, explore how new research and an expanding business environment will affect the future applications for novel and traditional drugs.”
The event will not feature a cannabis track for the first time in 2018. Several panels will focus on the opportunities for marijuana business, how advocacy impacted cannabis policies and how to have a healthy relationship.
The psychedelics tracks include sessions on MDMA and transformative psychedelics, “beyond MDMA,” as well as psychedelics training, entheogens, people of color, commercialization of Psilocybin Therapy, and an open-ended meetup.
The sessions were chosen by SXSW staff, and by community voting, based on hundreds of submissions from experts, celebrities, and ordinary people.
SXSW 2024 will take place in Austin, Texas from March 8-16.
These are some examples of sessions that were featured in SXSW ‘s psychedelics tracks.
FDA Approved Love? Explore MDMA’s Psychedelic Experience
This panel, featuring Rick Doblin and Julie Holland from the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, examines how MDMA has evolved “from the dancefloor to late-state trials to…potentially a therapist’s sofa.”
Find Balance in Your Relationship With Psychoactive Plants
Amanda Reiman is a harm reduction activist and public health researcher who has spent over two decades researching cannabis policy. She will discuss how to cultivate a healthy relationship with marijuana, psychedelics and other psychoactive substances. The session will include tips about what healthy consumption looks like, and what one should do if their consumption becomes harmful or problematic.
I’m thrilled to announce that at @sxsw I will be giving a presentation in the Psychedelics Track. Since 2020 when I started @PlantsPersonal, my mission has been to educate people about cannabis and psychedelics. This is something I’m excited to discuss in my session.
— Dr. Amanda 1 November 2023
MDMA saved my life: Psychedelics, healing and sexual trauma
This panel of therapists, along with representatives from Urban Indigenous Collective, and Phoenix Project “explores the personal journeys to healing from sexual abuse, and the role that psychedelics can play in this process.”
The new top shelf at the bar: Elevation over inebriation
Acknowledging that “public demand is rising for alcohol substitutes that provide an experience,” this panel looks at the legal status of all sorts of other consciousness-altering substances, including kanna, kava, psilocybin, kratom, coca, damiana, mescaline, cannabis, ketamine GHB and other compounds. A description reads: “Humans have used natural substances for centuries to relax and socialize in a safe way, but outdated laws and societal norms make it difficult to compete with alcohol.” What will it take to make a world without alcohol?
Man vs. Commercialization of Psilocybin Medicine
This panel includes Sue Sisley, a researcher, and Shawn Hauser – a partner of the law firm Vicente LLP, who works in the cannabis and psychedelics industries. Speakers will explain the reasons why most clinical studies on psilocybin are conducted using synthetic versions, even though psilocybin is naturally produced by mushrooms. They’ll also discuss why some researchers want to focus more on natural products.
Psychedelic leadership and System Change
Steve Jobs, former Twitter chief Jack Dorsey and Elon Musk are among the business leaders who have embraced altered state of consciousness. This panel includes a Google Vice President, along with members of MAPS Public Benefit Corporation and the Psychedelic Leadership Company. The question is: “Can psychedelics improve leadership by fostering creativity and open-mindedness?” Can they encourage prosocial behavior and empathic behaviors to help us achieve balance? Are they more likely to increase narcissism, and extractive behavior?”
The #SXSW conference is back for another round! Discover 450+ sessions created by the community across 24 tracks. Start planning your SX experience today by diving into the schedule. https://t.co/ZICg1kHemS
SXSW (@sxsw November 1, 2020
These are the descriptions of some of the sessions that deal with marijuana.
From Prison To Prosperity: Advocacy can Impact cannabis
Even though the majority of US states have legalized marijuana in some form, those incarcerated or with previous convictions for cannabis crimes continue to suffer collateral consequences. This panel featuring Mutulu “M-1” Olugbala of the hip-hop group Dead Prez, as well as members of the nonprofit Last Prisoner Project explores the power of advocacy by storytelling, activist collaborations and direct policy changes to improve the lives those who have been harmed through cannabis criminalization.
Cannabis Around the World – Where are the big opportunities?
Nancy Whiteman, of Wana Brands, leads this discussion about marijuana markets outside of the United States. For example in the 22 European Union nations where medical cannabis has been legalized and those few that are currently pursuing legalization. The panelists will discuss Thailand where more than 6,000 cannabis licenses were approved since 2022, when the country legalized marijuana.
Image element provided by Kristie Gianpulos.
The post 2024 SXSW Lineup Announced, Focusing on Psychedelics and Cutting Cannabis Track first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
