The Press Release
January 6, 2022 (WASHINGTON D.C.) – Plant Medicine Coalition, a nonprofit membership and advocacy organization that lobbies the federal government regarding psychedelic policy, has changed its name to Psychedelic Medicine Coalition (PMC).
“Our mission remains the same and is more important than ever: to create, protect, and promote safe and equitable access to natural and synthetic psychedelic and plant medicines. I felt this name change was necessary in order to properly reflect both the diverse coalition we have built over the last year, as well as the leap in public awareness regarding the healing potential of psychedelic medicines. We are continuing to educate Congress and the Administration as we fight for funding for research for psychedelics and plant medicines,” said Melissa Lavasani, Founder & Executive Director of PMC.
PMC is also introducing several exciting new additions to its Board of Directors. These individuals bring deep expertise in psychedelic law, science, education, and public policy and will join current board members Melissa Lavasani, Molly Ahearn Allen, Daniel Conner, and Robert (Roman) Haferd.
PMC is thrilled to welcome new board members:
Ryan Costello, a former Republican Congressman who represented Pennsylvania’s 6th district served on the House Energy & Commerce Committee and Veterans Affairs Committee and is now a public policy consultant, board advisor, and board director for several private and public companies.
Tom Zuber, Managing Partner of Zuber Lawler, is the relationship partner for many of his firm’s Fortune 500 Company clients, as well as funds, and government entities. He has represented and advised leading plant medicines companies for 15 years. He is also a founder of the magazine Psychedelia, and the international cannabis consulting company Global Go.
Joe Moore, the CEO and co-founder of Psychedelics Today, an education and media company, has been active for 20 years in the psychedelic space and works to help steward the psychedelic movement in an optimal direction for the betterment of humanity.
PMC is also pleased to announce its Advisory Board founding members:
David Bronner, CEO of Dr. Bronner’s
Patrick Moher, CEO of Microdose
Julia Mirer, MD, Director of Strategy at Nushama
Los Arias, CEO of Green Horizon
Kelly Bender, ND, Owner of Pure Vitality Center
PMC is delighted to publicize its first annual National Psychedelic Policy Roundtable. The free virtual event will take place on January 26, 2022 and will bring together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers working in the psychedelic medicine space to lay out the future of psychedelic policy in our nation’s capital. The event’s agenda will include panel discussions on emerging research, the changing policy landscape for psychedelics, and PMC’s initiatives to promote community engagement on issues related to psychedelic compounds.
Register for the National Psychedelic Policy Roundtable here.
Based in Washington, D.C., Psychedelic Medicine Coalition (formerly Plant Medicine Coalition) is a women-led, nonprofit advocacy and member organization dedicated to the advancement of psychedelic research and access. PMC was founded by Melissa Lavasani and Molly Ahearn Allen after Melissa successfully ran the campaign to pass Washington, D.C.’s Initiative 81, effectively decriminalizing entheogens in the District. Melissa proposed and championed the initiative after she used psilocybin-containing mushrooms and ayahuasca to treat postpartum depression following the birth of her second child.
To join the coalition, learn more about PMC’s advocacy or sign up for the newsletter, visit psychedelicmedicinecoalition.
