Sierra Psychedelic Society

# Our Purpose

Sierra Psychedelic Society is an organization focused on building community, providing education, promoting harm reduction and advocating for policy reform.

## About Us

We believe that the safe, informed and responsible use of psychedelics and altered states of consciousness supports healing, personal growth and the evolution of culture. SPS is a platform for the dissemination of information, promotion of evidence-based advocacy and connection with an informed community and support network. Our aim is to facilitate learning, increased awareness and a reduction of risks associated with the socially constructive use of altered states of consciousness.

Psychedelics are powerful substances with potential for profound personal and collective healing, growth and evolution. They must be approached with caution and respect. SPS neither condones nor condemns the use of psychedelics, but rather seeks to create a safe place for constructive public discussion and informed discourse around benefits and risks of using psychedelics. We aim to educate the public on the mounting scientific research in this field, while honoring the indigenous cultures and traditions that have been using sacred plants and fungi for thousands of years. SPS is dedicated to building an active, supportive, like-minded community by hosting regular events to meet, share experience, and learn from one another. We take an integrative approach, discussing the social, cultural and scientific aspects of psychedelics—this includes inviting experts and those with extensive personal experience in each of those domains to offer their insights.
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We believe psychedelics are an integral part of the evolution of human consciousness, making apparent the sacredness and interconnectedness of all things, generating greater creative inspiration and fostering unity at a time when humanity appears increasingly divided and cut off from our wider ecosystem.
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SPS is part of a global movement committed to fostering a positive image of psychedelics and advocating for their safe, informed and socially constructive use. We are currently calling on our legislators to decriminalize entheogenic plants and fungi, among other psychedelics, and are committed to organizing a wide-spread grassroots network to support those legislators working for policy reform.
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## Full Acknowledgment of the Law

Discussion of psychedelic substances is protected under the First Amendment. While we favor a reconsideration of drug policies, we also fully acknowledge the current legal status of psychedelics. Hence, we do not provide illegal substances, allow their distribution at our events or encourage illegal activities. Sierra Psychedelic Society is not a place to seek, encourage, or participate in the procurement of controlled substances. Do not bring, buy, sell, transfer, or arrive on any illegal substances, or swap information on how to buy them. Any information we provide is for education and information only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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## Our Values

Community
We are an organization devoted to creating community with people from all walks of life who share an interest in exploring altered states of consciousness. We provide community, support and integration resources to those seeking harm reduction, healing and personal development.

Sacred Roots
Entheogenic plants and fungi have been used for thousands of years by indigenous cultures for the sake of healing and spiritual practices. We honor the wisdom of these cultures, strive to learn from them, and approach these traditions with reverence and respect.
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Reason and Evidence
We appreciate reason, empirical evidence and strong scientific research. We aim to be transparent about both risks and benefits.

Personal Growth
We consider psychedelic experiences as catalysts for personal and spiritual growth, not as a means to their own end. For that matter, we equally embrace pharmacological as well as non-pharmacological approaches of inducing altered states of consciousness. In all cases, we encourage safe practices that include (1) intention: being clear what you want to achieve, (2) preparation: being mindful of set and setting and (3) integration: carrying the learnings from a psychedelic experience over into your everyday life.
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Safety and Harm-Reduction
We neither promote nor condemn the use of psychedelic substances. Rather, we offer educational resources and engage in harm-reduction practices to maximize the safety and well-being of our community. Ultimately, we respect the sovereignty of the individual.​

Inclusivity
We are committed to inclusivity, welcoming people of all ages, abilities, genders, ethnicities and sexual orientations. Whether you are an experienced psychonaut or a curious beginner, we welcome your participation. Come as you are!
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Discretion
In creating a space for all individuals, we encourage discretion when discussing events with other people in the community. Please do not use names of individuals who speak about their personal experiences unless explicit permission is granted. Due to the cultural stigma still attached to psychedelic substances, it is challenging enough for people to speak openly and we strive to create a safe container for our members to share.
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