Dear supporter of psychedelics healing,
I want to share some reflections on the 2024 Massachusetts psychedelics campaign to foster constructive dialogue about its challenges. As a former staffer for Yes on 4, I believe an honest review of the campaign’s efforts is essential for learning and improving future advocacy.
In a recent article, “longtime campaign organizer” and drug policy strategist Jason Ortiz gave the following analysis of Yes on 4’s spending: “Either they blew the money inappropriately, or they were trying to tank it at the end.”
For just a few examples, the campaign:
Advanced a measure that decriminalized psychedelics for minors and allowed practically unlimited home growing and distribution, against the recommendations of its Dewey Square Group strategists, despite polling showing unregulated minor access (36% support) and home cultivation (38% support) were very unpopular.
Ostensibly spent over $185,000 to promote, and then oppose, a hostile psychedelics activist ($35,000 donated to his org to win him over and then $150,000 in lobbying to undo the damage + additional staff time).
Diverted over $120,000 of funding to a new, public education nonprofit, co-founded by a close associate of the campaign director, that netted less than 50 Instagram followers, solely organized four small public events, and did not apply for IRS tax exempt status in over a year.
Cancelled over $800,000 of reserved TV ad slots in the last nine weeks. Postmortem polling suggested opposition with around 1/50 of the budget had similar reach.
A year ago today (Oct. 17), left a key supporter literally out in the cold by rescheduling a press conference without telling him, after I had passed him over to the PR team from Dewey Square Group, as instructed.
Individuals who led the campaign are well-respected and may have had good intentions, but, as an effort to legalize psychedelic therapy, the campaign fell short in ways that deserve scrutiny.
As we approach the anniversary of the 2024 election, I’ll be sharing a detailed postmortem to provide a fuller picture, starting with the first section today (available on Substack and attached as a PDF).
My goal is to offer transparency to strengthen our shared mission.Thank you for your continued support and commitment to this cause.With gratitude,Graham Moore(Former Yes on 4 Staffer)