MAPS is gathering accounts, primarily anonymous, written by people who have created a family context for the use of psychedelics or marijuana. We hope to find stories which will raise new possibilities of how psychedelics and marijuana can be used beneficially, as well as deepen our understanding of the risks and issues involved in their use. It is through hearing the experiences of others, rather than digesting scientific studies, that most of us come to new ideas. Because people respond more powerfully to personal accounts than to the abstract presentation of ideas, we encourage anyone with a personal story to please share it.

Accounts should be between one and five pages long. We would especially like to have accounts written by each family member present. If you or your family member would prefer to record your story, you can send us the tape and we'll transcribe it.

You may wish to include details about the preparation and setting you chose, as well as your intentions for the experience. Please also discuss your reflections afterwards. How has this impacted your life? What would you have done differently? What would you tell other families considering the same choice?

Let us know if you'd be willing to be contacted further. For those who choose to sign their accounts, we could also consider posting photographs with the story. Let us know also if you'd be interested in discussing your experiences, anonymously or not, with the media.

To see the stories we have already posted, click here. For more information or to submit a story, contact us at askmaps@maps.org. I look forward to your comments and questions; it make take a little while, but I will respond to every message.