Originally appearing here. How much: $10-million bequest Who gave it: Ashawna Hailey, co-founder of Meta-Software Corporation, which was sold to Avanti Corporation in 1996. Ms. Hailey died in October. Who got it: The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies received $5-million; the American Civil Liberties Union, Drug Policy Alliance, Marijuana Policy Project, and Second Harvest Food Bank each received about $1.25-million. What the gifts will be used for: The psychedelic-studies association will conduct research trials using the drug MDMA to treat people with post-traumatic stress disorder. The Marijuana Policy Project will put some of the money in a reserve fund and use the rest to promote passage in the November elections of a measure in Colorado that would allow marijuana to be regulated like alcohol. Donor’s connections to the beneficiaries: Ashawna Hailey was a board member of the psychedelic-studies association. Ron Kampia, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project, said he first met Ms. Hailey in 2002 at a drug-policy conference. They had a long discussion and at the end of it, Mr. Kampia was given a check on the spot for $20,000. Why she gave: “Seeing the carnage of the government’s war on its own citizens and finally being rich enough to do something about it,” Mr. Kampia says.
The Chronicle of Philanthropy details the $5 million bequest given to MAPS from software pioneer Ashawna Hailey. The bequest will go primarily towards research on using MDMA-assisted therapy to treat PTSD. Hailey was a board member of MAPS and cared deeply about drug policy reform, so she also left $1.25-million each to the American Civil Liberties Union, Drug Policy Alliance, Marijuana Policy Project, and Second Harvest Food Bank.
