Drug Law - Spring 2026

Cannabis and Psychedelics

  • Victoria Litman

In recent decades, cannabis and psychedelic laws have undergone rapid transformation, with evolving policies at the local, state, and federal levels. This course will expose students to these legal and policy changes with a focus on Rhode Island and neighboring states. Despite these changes at the local and state levels, cannabis and psychedelics both remain classified as Schedule I under the federal Controlled Substances Act. This federal illegality creates significant challenges for state-licensed businesses, particularly in banking, taxation, and interstate commerce. Students will engage with key legal frameworks, including state regulations, federal agency oversight (FDA, DEA, USDA), and constitutional law issues. They will also explore how drug laws intersect with various legal fields, such as employment, criminal justice, property rights, taxation, religious freedom, intellectual property, and family law. This course offers a unique opportunity to compare and contrast cannabis and psychedelic law, drawing lessons from both industries and exploring how legal reforms can balance public health, economic growth, and individual rights.

1 Wednesday, January 14th: Introduction 1 Wednesday, January 14th: Introduction

What Counts as a Psychedelic?

What Counts as a Psychedelic?

Read Part II: Edibles: An Introduction Parts A & B

American Edibles: How Cannabis Regulatory Policy Rehashes Prohibitionist Fears and What to do About It by Jay Wexler, Connor Burns :: SSRN

Read Part II: Edibles: An Introduction Parts A & B
H2O

Drug Law - Spring 2026

Victoria Litman

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Table of contents

  1. 1

    Wednesday, January 14th: Introduction

    1. —

      What Counts as a Psychedelic?

    2. —

      Read Part II: Edibles: An Introduction Parts A & B

  2. 2

    Wednesday, January 22nd: History of Federal Drug Law and Regulation of Hemp

  3. 3

    Wednesday, January 28th: Medical Marijuana

  4. 4

    Wednesday, February 4th: Adult Use Cannabis, Local Control, and Social Equity – Focus on Rhode Island

  5. 5

    Wednesday, February 11th: Ongoing Challenges Due to Federal Illegality

  6. 6

    Wednesday, February 18th: Interstate Commerce in Cannabis, the Dormant Commerce Clause, Federal Cannabis Proposals, Rescheduling

  7. 7

    Wednesday, March 18th: Drug Decriminalization and Local Psychedelic Reform

  8. 8

    Wednesday March 25th: Models for State Psychedelic Laws

  9. 9

    Wednesday April 1st: Legal Landscape of the Religious Use of Psychedelics

  10. 10

    Wednesday, April 8th: Psychedelic Medicine and Spirituality

  11. 11

    Wednesday April 15th: Federal Regulation of Psychedelics

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