We will kick of symposium weekend by exploring the evolving psychedelic policy landscape in Minnesota through the lens of decriminalization, community advocacy, and legislative action. Hear from Jessica Nielson, Chair of the Minnesota Psychedelic Task Force as she shares updates, challenges, and visions for a more equitable approach to psychedelic reform. Learn how Minnesota is shaping its unique path forward and how you can get involved in building a future rooted in healing, justice, and community care. Come bearing questions!

Jessica is a neuroscientist and psychedelic researcher that has been exploring the therapeutic potential of psychedelics for over 10 years. She has lead several psychedelic research studies at the University of Minnesota aiming to understand how psychedelics like ayahuasca and psilocybin may help with post-traumatic stress and depression, mechanisms for how psilocybin changes the human brain, and survey studies about the unique perspectives of marginalized groups often excluded or not represented in psychedelic clinical trials. She is also the founder and Executive Director of the Psychedelic Society of Minnesota, the Innovation Alchemist at Big Psych, co-founder of the DecriMN Coalition that recently advised Mayor Frey on the Executive Order to deprioritize entheogenic plants and fungi in Minneapolis, and was recently appointed by Governor Walz and elected to serve as Chairperson on the Psychedelic Medicine Task Force in Minnesota.