Episode 26: Gina Giorgio – Graduate School | Psychedelic Policy and Communications | Students for Sensible Drug Policy | North Carolina Psychedelic Policy Coalition | Smush

In this episode, I talk with Gina Giorgio.

Gina wears many hats within the psychedelic space as founder of the North Carolina Psychedelic Policy Coalition, the Director of the Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) Mentorship Pipeline, a Communications and Policy Specialist for NisonCo, a contributing writer for Psychedelic Spotlight, and the Founder and CEO of the Mushroom Lifestyle brand Smush.

Our conversation covers topics like finding the balance between working in the psychedelic space and graduate school and how Gina started her own company by tapping into academic networks and resources.

Gina also shares her journey from studying Psychology at High Point University to diving into her psychedelic interests with Hamilton’s Pharmacopeia.

We also discuss the ins and outs of policy related to psychedelics and cannabis, looking at what makes them similar yet unique.

Throughout our conversation, Gina offers gems of advice for anyone interested in policy or communications work in the field.

Finally, Gina reflects on her role in the psychedelic field and her interests in public education, policy development, and building her company, Smush.

Time Stamps:

(05:10) An overview of each of the companies Gina is involved with and her role at each of them (Students for Sensible Drug Policy, NisonCo, Psychedelic Spotlight, the North Carolina Psychedelic Policy Coalition)

(10:52) How being a part of each organization has helped her reach her goal of working in the psychedelic field

(16:05) Finding balance working in the psychedelic field and being a graduate student

(21:10) The adventure of starting her own company, Smush and tapping into university resources

(32:07) SSDP’s Psychedelic Mentorship Pipeline

(38:32) Fostering Gina’s psychedelic interests from Hamilton’s Pharmacopeia and the intricacies of psychedelic interests while in college

(54:15) Cannabis work with NisonCo and similarities and differences with psychedelic policy development

(1:07:58) Contemplating Gina’s future academic routes and the value and challenges of getting a PhD

(1:16:59) Final advice - mentorship

(1:20:34) Gina’s hopes for the future in public education and communication and building Smush

Links:

SSDP Mentorship Pipeline: https://ssdp.org/our-work/psychedelic-pipeline/

Curious to Serious with Vilmarie Fraguada Narloch: Spotify, Apple, Google

North Carolina Psychedelic Policy Coalition: https://healingpolicy.org/

Gina’s Work at Psychedelic Spotlight:

Rest and Restore: A Journey Into the Legal Entheogenic Ceremony Space in the U.S.: https://psychedelicspotlight.com/rest-and-restore-a-journey-into-the-legal-entheogenic-ceremony-space-in-the-u-s/

5 Psychedelia Books Our Staff Loves: https://psychedelicspotlight.com/best-psychedelic-books-our-staff-loves/

Smush: https://www.sm<