Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Beau Kilmer @beaukilmer.bsky.social · 7d

If you find this interesting and/or are looking for a much deeper dive, check this out 👇

www.rand.org/pubs/researc...

Considering Alternatives to Psychedelic Drug Prohibition

Psychedelics such as psilocybin mushrooms have long been touted as holding promise for treating various mental health conditions. As more U.S. state and local officials ease regulations on the substan...

www.rand.org

Beau Kilmer @beaukilmer.bsky.social · 7d

Considering a change in #psilocybin policy? Some insights for NY & others:

1️⃣Be specific re: proposed changes
2️⃣There are multiple supply options
3️⃣Infrequent users drive market
4️⃣Price may be a less useful reg tool vs other subs
5️⃣Improved data=better analyses

For more 👇
www.rand.org/pubs/testimo...

Considering Psilocybin Legalization

For states considering psilocybin legalization, policymakers and researchers should be specific about the policy changes being considered and understand that there are many policy options for the supp...

www.rand.org

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Beau Kilmer @beaukilmer.bsky.social · Aug 29

🚨New DPRC Quarterly is out!

🌳High potency #cannabis
⬆️Increasing intensity of #opioid use
📏Measuring #cocaine flows
1⃣ vs 3⃣ Cannabis #rescheduling
🚑911 calls & #mentalhealth

& much more!

Read & sign up for the newsletter⤵️
www.rand.org/well-being/j...

Drug Policy Research Center Quarterly Newsletter

The RAND Drug Policy Research Center provides a firm, empirical foundation on which sound drug policies can be built.

www.rand.org

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Beau Kilmer @beaukilmer.bsky.social · Aug 22

🚨Pls spread the word!

@issdrugpolicy.bsky.social continues to support & expand #drugpolicy research in the global south

We have a new working group (led by Bisi Akintoye, Gideon Lasco & Rosario Queirolo) & are offering 25 free memberships for ECRs in the global south

www.issdp.org/new-issdp-in...

New ISSDP initiatives to increase global south participation

The ISSDP Board is delighted to introduce two new initiatives to increase global south engagement in the Society. These were announced at the 2025 ISSDP Annual General Meeting and received strong s…

www.issdp.org

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Reposted by Beau Kilmer

ISSDP @issdrugpolicy.bsky.social · Aug 7

Hold the date: The 19th annual International Society for the Study of #DrugPolicy Conference will be held in Perth, Australia hosted by the National Drug Research Institute (NDRI)!
Conference dates are 30th June to 2nd July 2026.
More details to come. www.issdp.org

#ISSDP2026

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Reposted by Beau Kilmer

Steven Strogatz @stevenstrogatz.com · Aug 3

What a fantastic accomplishment -- and what a fantastic story! www.quantamagazine.org/at-17-hannah...

At 17, Hannah Cairo Solved a Major Math Mystery | Quanta Magazine

After finding the homeschooling life confining, the teen petitioned her way into a graduate class at Berkeley, where she ended up disproving a 40-year-old conjecture.

www.quantamagazine.org

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Beau Kilmer @beaukilmer.bsky.social · Jul 10

Starts in 2 hours (10am Pacific) and still time to register (free)

Please join us!

Beau Kilmer @beaukilmer.bsky.social · Jul 1

Attn #drugpolicy folks

@issdrugpolicy.bsky.social & @unodc.bsky.social are cohosting two webinars on July 10 re: the 2025 World Drug Report

I'm moderating the one at 10am PT. We'll hear from Laura Atuesta, Dan Ciccarone, Angela Me & Daniel Mejia

To register: tinyurl.com/yshxwstf

See you there!

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Reposted by Beau Kilmer

European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) @euda.europa.eu · Jul 9

👋 Hello, Bluesky!

We’re the European Union Drugs Agency — and we just turned 1.

We’re here to share how we anticipate, alert, respond and learn to help Europe tackle drug-related challenges.

👣 Follow us for updates and insights: euda.europa.eu

#ActingToday #AncitipatingTomorrow #EUDA

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Beau Kilmer @beaukilmer.bsky.social · Jul 1

Attn #drugpolicy folks

@issdrugpolicy.bsky.social & @unodc.bsky.social are cohosting two webinars on July 10 re: the 2025 World Drug Report

I'm moderating the one at 10am PT. We'll hear from Laura Atuesta, Dan Ciccarone, Angela Me & Daniel Mejia

To register: tinyurl.com/yshxwstf

See you there!

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Beau Kilmer @beaukilmer.bsky.social · May 7

🚨Fantastic opportunity for #drugpolicy scholars!

The International Society for the Study of Drug Policy @issdrugpolicy.bsky.social is looking for a new Vice President

Been such an honor to serve in this role. If you're curious or have ?s, let me know

Noms due 5/19
www.issdp.org/issdp-electi...

ISSDP Election for a New Vice President

We seek nominations to fill the vacancy of the Vice President. We wish particularly to encourage nominees from the global south.

www.issdp.org

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Beau Kilmer @beaukilmer.bsky.social · Apr 14

🎉 Congrats to Rosanna Smart @rosannasmart.bsky.social for her selection as the NASEM 2025 Mark Kleiman Innovation for Public Policy Memorial Lecturer

So happy for you!!

For those who didn't know Mark, check out this wonderful tribute by @haroldpollack.bsky.social prospect.org/culture/book...

Remembering a Trailblazer in Criminal Justice Policy

Mark Kleiman, 1951–2019

prospect.org

Reposted by Beau Kilmer

ISSDP @issdrugpolicy.bsky.social · Apr 8

👀 Exciting news 📣 We are extending the early bird registration fee until Friday 11th April 4pm (GMT) for #issdp2025 in Manchester. 👌👌👌

www.issdp.org

Register now to save $ and join the leading international conference of #DrugPolicy scholars.

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Beau Kilmer @beaukilmer.bsky.social · Mar 31

New systematic review re: high-potency #cannabis use and #health

Congrats to Stephanie Lake for leading this detailed review of the observational & experimental studies

So much more work to be done on this topic

psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/...

High-Potency Cannabis Use and Health: A Systematic Review of Observational and Experimental Studies | American Journal of Psychiatry

Objective: Amid continuously rising concentrations of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in cannabis (i.e., potency), high-potency cannabis is a major topic in contemporary cannabis policy discussions...

psychiatryonline.org

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Beau Kilmer @beaukilmer.bsky.social · Mar 28

For those interested in the anecdote I shared about the vending machine in Wisconsin, here's the story 👇
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZ5q...

Cannabis, psychedelic mushroom kiosk at Wisconsin mall draws attention | FOX6 News Milwaukee

YouTube video by FOX6 News Milwaukee

www.youtube.com

Beau Kilmer @beaukilmer.bsky.social · Mar 27

Had a great time chatting with Dave Chang & Chris Ying about the future of #psychedelics policy @davechangshow

www.instagram.com/reel/DHtcH2m...

We laughed a lot but also got into some serious topics. If you like the pod you'll ♥️this @rand.org report: www.rand.org/pubs/researc...

Considering Alternatives to Psychedelic Drug Prohibition

Psychedelics such as psilocybin mushrooms have long been touted as holding promise for treating various mental health conditions. As more U.S. state and local officials ease regulations on the substan...

www.rand.org

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Reposted by Beau Kilmer

Bradley Stein @bradleydstein.bsky.social · Feb 26

Thrilled to have the opportunity to testify today before the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging and share thoughts about addressing some of the challenges the opioid crisis is presenting for older Americans.

Catch the livestream here at 3:30 ET: www.aging.senate.gov/hearings/com...

Combating the Opioid Epidemic | United States Senate Special Committee on Aging

United States Senate Special Committee on Aging

www.aging.senate.gov

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Beau Kilmer @beaukilmer.bsky.social · Feb 20

And don't be shy!

Self-nominations are encouraged

Winner gets $3K & travel reimbursed to give a talk at the #ISSDP2025 conference to be held in Manchester UK, June 11-13

Beau Kilmer @beaukilmer.bsky.social · Feb 20

Do you conduct/consume #drugpolicy research?

Have a favorite study published in the past 3 years that has made a substantial contribution?

Pls consider nominating it for the ISSDP Excellence in Research 🏆

Due Mar 31 issdp.org/call-for-nom...

Spread the word! Thx

#PublicHealthSky #EconSky

Beau Kilmer @beaukilmer.bsky.social · Feb 20

Do you conduct/consume #drugpolicy research?

Have a favorite study published in the past 3 years that has made a substantial contribution?

Pls consider nominating it for the ISSDP Excellence in Research 🏆

Due Mar 31 issdp.org/call-for-nom...

Spread the word! Thx

#PublicHealthSky #EconSky

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Beau Kilmer @beaukilmer.bsky.social · Jan 23

🚨🚨 Abstract deadline for #ISSDP2025 extended to January 31

Many thanks to those who have already submitted. Am impressed with so many of these abstracts!

For those who haven't submitted, please consider joining us. Scholarships available 👇

Beau Kilmer @beaukilmer.bsky.social · Dec 19

🚨#Drugpolicy folks--please spread the word!

1⃣ Call for #ISSDP2025 abstracts is live
2⃣ Will be scholarships for ECRs, those from LMICs & those with lived and/or living experience of drugs--including family members

This is my favorite conference! Please join us in #Manchester ➡️ www.issdp.org

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Beau Kilmer @beaukilmer.bsky.social · Jan 22

What does a terrorism expert think about designating drug "cartels" as foreign terrorist organizations?

Thought-provoking piece by my @rand.org colleague Brian Michael Jenkins

[Cartels in quotes because they really aren't cartels, but that's the term commonly used]
www.rand.org/pubs/comment...

Should Mexico's Drug Cartels Be Designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations?

While the outcry over the kidnapping and murder of U.S. citizens by members of the Gulf Cartel in Mexico is understandable, stridency should not preclude strategic assessment. America's problem with d...

www.rand.org

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Reposted by Beau Kilmer

Michael Rich @michaeldrich.bsky.social · Jan 19

Seven years ago this week, @rand.org published "Truth Decay," the book that @jekavanagh.bsky.social and I wrote about the diminishing role of facts and analysis in American public life. #TruthDecay 1/10

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Reposted by Beau Kilmer

Alex Albright @allbriteallday.bsky.social · Jan 13

✨ Reminder: the deadline is Friday, January 17 to apply for OIGI's Visiting Scholars program ✨

More info + apply here: www.minneapolisfed.org/institute/vi...

Alex Albright @allbriteallday.bsky.social · Dec 2

Hey #EconSky!

The Opportunity & Inclusive Growth Institute @ the Minneapolis Fed has a VISITING SCHOLARS program.

Visits feature many seminars, opportunities to talk econ, and trails for biking/skiing (depending on the season)!

Learn more + apply here: www.minneapolisfed.org/institute/vi...

Apply for the Visiting Scholar Program | Opportunity & Inclusive Growth Institute

The Institute is currently seeking Visiting Scholars for the 2025-2026 cohort

www.minneapolisfed.org

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Beau Kilmer @beaukilmer.bsky.social · Dec 28

🚨 Hate to be a downer during the holidays, but...

Getting Ahead of #H5N1: Declare a Public Health Emergency, Expand Wastewater Testing, and Increase Vaccine Research and Availability—Sooner Rather Than Later

New piece via my @rand.org colleagues
www.rand.org/pubs/comment...

How to Get Ahead of H5N1

The ongoing H5N1 outbreak presents a critical test of the United States' ability to apply the hard-earned lessons of a recent health emergencies. The time to act is not when the threat becomes unmanag...

www.rand.org

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Reposted by Beau Kilmer

Beau Kilmer @beaukilmer.bsky.social · Dec 6

WRT the future of US #drugpolicy, here are 5 things I'll be paying close attn to over the next few years

1⃣ Details of state #cannabis initiatives/bills
2⃣ Same for #psychedelics
3⃣ Will feds help/hinder these efforts?
4⃣ What happens at ONDCP?
5⃣ #ACA & #Medicaid

www.vitalcitynyc.org/articles/whe...

Vital City | Where Does Drug Policy Go From Here?

Election results raised more questions than answers.

www.vitalcitynyc.org

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Beau Kilmer @beaukilmer.bsky.social · Dec 19

🚨#Drugpolicy folks--please spread the word!

1⃣ Call for #ISSDP2025 abstracts is live
2⃣ Will be scholarships for ECRs, those from LMICs & those with lived and/or living experience of drugs--including family members

This is my favorite conference! Please join us in #Manchester ➡️ www.issdp.org

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