The War on Drugs

This season, we heard from artists, athletes, and entrepreneurs who’ve lived the consequences of the War on Drugs. But what’s next? In the finale, Greg and Clayton look at the biggest takeaways from these conversations and break down what we can all do to push for change. A new episode of The War on Drugs will be available every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts. The War on Drugs is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts and Stand Together Music in association with Signal Co. No1.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shinedown frontman Brent Smith knows addiction. He’s lived it, fought through it, and come out the other side. But his journey wasn’t a straight line—and that’s the point. In this episode, Brent talks about breaking free from one-size-fits-all recovery models, the role of community in overcoming addiction, and why drug policy needs to be about support, not punishment.    A new episode of The War on Drugs will be available every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts. The War on Drugs is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts and Stand Together Music in association with Signal Co. No1.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Buffalo-born rapper and entrepreneur explains the difference between the weed business and the cannabis industry- how is this semi-legal system working for people trying to come off the sidelines and out of the black market and criminal justice pipeline and do it legitimately? How can we ensure those people get to play the game and aren’t thrown right back into the underground by a system that favors deep-pocketed corporate players?  Benny strikes a positive optimistic tone as he talks about the need for a collective of smaller sized business owners, and the need for a coherent national policy to realize the promise of the early progress of legalization and decriminalization.  A new episode of The War on Drugs will be available every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts. The War on Drugs is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts and Stand Together Music in association with Signal Co. No1.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Like Episode 3 guest Liz Carmouche, former NHL enforcer Riley Cote knows something about pain.  And also about the problematic cycles of machismo and stigma that can prevent people from seeking out certain paths to treatment and remedy.  Riley overcame those obstacles in his own life, finding success in pain management and mental stability with cannabis and other alternative treatments.  He now advocates for others like him to have access to these medicines, and avoid the paths to alcohol / opioid addiction, depression, and even suicide he has witnessed far too many times among his peers. A new episode of The War on Drugs will be available every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts. The War on Drugs is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts and Stand Together Music in association with Signal Co. No1.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Grammy-winning musician John Osborne never imagined he’d turn to psychedelics. But when he went through a mental health breakdown, they saved his life. A skeptic turned advocate, John shares how psilocybin therapy helped him recover from deep depression, persistent anxiety, and more. With research continuing to demonstrate that psychedelics may offer a powerful treatment option for many, why are they still illegal? And how many lives could be saved if we let science and new research shape our drug policies?  A new episode of The War on Drugs will be available every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts. The War on Drugs is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts and Stand Together Music in association with Signal Co. No1. Additional notes:To find more information about psychedelics  and the evidence-based approaches used to treat various mental health conditions, visit the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) website. LINKSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lead MC of the legendary Cypress Hill, B-Real grew up in LA at the height of the drug war, initially on the street hustling side of things. Music took him out of that life, but when California began to legalize in 2016 B-Real got back into the game on the legitimate side.  He found however what many early-adopting entrepreneurs are finding - the Federal ban means you can’t use the banking system, and when you try and expand state to state you’re faced with a byzantine maze of conflicting regulations.  What all this means is that the people that were formerly operating outside the system - are finding that operating inside the system is something of a dead end.  B-Real’s companies employ hundreds of people in California, and could do so for thousands nationwide. But small operations like his can’t afford the regulatory navigation, so are increasingly losing market share to bigger institutional players, or worse, being driven right back into the black market. A new episode of The War on Drugs will be available every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts.The War on Drugs is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts and Stand Together Music in association with Signal Co. No1. Additional Notes:Because of federal restrictions, most banks won’t work with cannabis businesses, forcing them to operate almost entirely in cash. This makes them easy targets for crime and creates huge financial challenges. Reforms are needed so legal businesses can use banks like any other industry— reducing crime, improving oversight, and keeping the public safer. To learn more, click here. High taxes, complex regulations, and expensive licensing don’t just hurt legal cannabis businesses—they push consumers back into the black market. When legal products are too expensive or difficult to access, unregulated sales grow, putting people at greater risk from unsafe products and criminal activity. To learn more, click here. The podcast, its co-hosts, and its sponsors do not endorse or promote any specific products or companies discussed during the episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marcus King grew up in Greenville, SC, watching people around him get written off—criminalized instead of helped, cast aside instead of supported. His own story could have gone the same way. Instead, music, finding sobriety, and building supportive community saved him. In this episode, Marcus talks about his journey to sobriety, the shifting cultural conversation around addiction, and why meeting people where they are—without stigma or judgment—is the key to real change.   A new episode of The War on Drugs will be available every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts. The War on Drugs is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts and Stand Together Music in association with Signal Co. No1.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The champion MMA fighter and Marine Corps veteran is no stranger to pain - both dishing it out and taking it.  Hear her take on the ongoing War on Drugs, and what the lack of coherent federal policy means for our community of Veterans, athletes and others dealing with high-level pain management - how she has found positive results managing her own pain with CBD, to the point where her brain scans show a marked drop-off in inflammation since her use of cannabinoids, and even recovered from surgery without any use of traditional pharmaceutical painkillers.  Meanwhile the VA, taking its cues from the Federal policy, is not even allowed to discuss these alternate treatments with its patients, often forcing Veterans down the path of pharmaceuticals with the risk of addiction and other consequences. A new episode of The War on Drugs will be available every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts. Veteran suicide remains a serious issue. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, an estimated 17.6 veterans die by suicide each day. Source: VA News CBD exists in a legal gray area. The FDA has not approved CBD for general medical use and many states heavily restrict or even ban CBD products - including those that can't get you high. Source: PBS News  Studies show that veterans are at higher risk of opioid overdose compared to the general population. This underscores the urgent need for safer pain management alternatives. Relevant studies: Saving Lives: The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Rapid Naloxone Initiative; Changing Trends in Opioid Overdose Deaths and Prescription Opioid Receipt Among Veterans; VA Fact Sheet (CSPEAR) on Opioid Use Disorder According to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), prescription medications including painkillers, are provided to eligible veterans at low or no costs. Meanwhile, CBD products are not covered by VA healthcare and must be paid for out-of-pocket. Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; VA Copay Rates  The War on Drugs is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts and Stand Together Music in association with Signal Co. No1.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For years, the headline was: “Heisman Trophy winner and NFL All-Pro running back Ricky Williams quit the NFL to smoke weed.” The real story? Much deeper. Cannabis helped Ricky manage pain, both physical and mental, in ways the media and the sports world didn't understand in 2004. Now that the NFL has progressed significantly on cannabis policy, Ricky reflects on the cost of systems that punish people for making their own health choices. What happens when we stop treating all substances like one-size-fits-all dangers? And how much potential—on the field, in the workplace, in life—is held back when those closest to a problem aren't in control of the solution? A new episode of The War on Drugs will be available every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts. The War on Drugs is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts and Stand Together Music in association with Signal Co. No1.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Greg and Clayton welcome you back to The War on Drugs Podcast with “Stories Matter.”  This Season, you will hear notable voices from across the cultural spectrum on their personal, lived experience, and how the failures of the War on Drugs policy continue to affect people’s lives, even as progress is made at the local level.   A new episode of The War on Drugs will be available every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts. The War on Drugs is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts and Stand Together Music in association with Signal Co. No1.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to season two of The War on Drugs podcast, co-hosted by comedian Clayton English and Greg Glod, advisor to Stand Together on Criminal Justice and Drug Reform. This season, we’re bringing you real stories from real people—artists, athletes, and influencers like B-Real, Marcus King, Ricky Williams, John Osborne, and many others who lived the impacts of the War on Drugs firsthand. We’ll explore how drug policy isn’t just a political issue—it’s personal. We’ll talk about pain management, mental health, overcoming addiction, entrepreneurship, and the fight for personal freedom. The War on Drugs isn’t over. And the stories we share this season prove it. The War on Drugs will be available every Tuesday beginning March 18 wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special episode, Grammy and Oscar award winning singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge joins our hosts Clayton English and Greg Glod for a personal and thought-provoking conversation about advances in plant-based medicine in treating conditions such as depression, PTSD, opioid withdrawal, and addiction.  To learn more, visit: https://www.etheridgefoundation.org/ The War on Drugs is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts in association with Signal Co. No1.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special episode of the War on Drugs, Clayton English and Greg Glod are live on stage with some of the top names in podcasting, including Ben Bowlin and Noel Brown from Stuff They Don’t Want You to Know, Gilbert King from Bone Valley, and Jason Flom from Wrongful Conviction to discuss the intersection of the War on Drugs and wrongful convictions. Recorded Live at iHeart Media in Atlanta, GA, on April 26th, 2023 Featuring hosts from: Bone Valley Stuff They Don't Want You to Know  The War on Drugs  Wrongful Conviction To see photos and a video of the entire event, go to: https://lavaforgood.com/podcast/s1e11-lava-for-good-live-the-war-on-drugs-did-anyone-win/ This event is the first of an ongoing series of recorded discussions from Lava for Good aimed at amplifying the voices behind Podcasts of Purpose. To hear all Lava for Good podcast episodes one week early and ad-free, subscribe to Lava for Good+ on Apple Podcasts. All Lava for Good+ subscribers enjoy early access and ad-free episodes from Bone Valley, Wrongful Conviction, The War on Drugs and all other Lava for Good podcasts on Apple Podcasts. Please click here to take part in our listener survey. Your feedback will help inform how we make podcasts in the future. Complete and candid answers will help us continue to bring you unparalleled access and insight into the heart of social justice in America. So please go to lavaforgood.com/survey and participate today. Thank you for your support. To learn more, go to: Stand Together -  https://standtogether.org/issues/criminal-justice-reform/ Stand Together Blog - https://standtogether.org/news/criminal-justice-podcasts-discuss-pressing-issues/  The War on Drugs is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts in association with Signal Co. No1.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Season One of The War on Drugs concludes with the story of a single addict’s journey, Morgan Godvin. Her story illustrates the disastrous consequences of America’s decision to treat addiction as a crime. Morgan spent five years addicted to heroin and four years incarcerated as a direct result of her addiction. She lost her mom and four close friends to overdose. And yet, Morgan’s story is ultimately one of hope—one that takes her from addiction to advocacy. Told by Morgan herself and set in an immersive audio soundscape, Morgan’s journey lays bare how our nation’s 50-year War on Drugs has destroyed millions of lives. It also suggests a better path forward where solutions to America’s overdose crisis are not found by punishing those in need of help, but in harm reduction policies that treat addiction as the medical and mental health crisis it is. To learn more, visit: https://www.morgangodvin.com PLEASE CLICK HERE TO TAKE PART IN OUR LISTENER SURVEY. YOUR FEEDBACK WILL HELP INFORM HOW WE MAKE PODCASTS IN THE FUTURE. AND YOUR COMPLETE AND CANDID ANSWERS WILL HELP US CONTINUE TO BRING YOU UNPARALLELED ACCESS AND INSIGHT INTO THE HEART OF SOCIAL JUSTICE IN AMERICA. SO PLEASE GO TO LAVAFORGOOD.COM/SURVEYAND PARTICIPATE TODAY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. The War on Drugs is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts in association with Signal Co. No1.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Johann Hari tells Clayton and Greg how Portugal kicked its heroin habit. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO TAKE PART IN OUR LISTENER SURVEY. YOUR FEEDBACK WILL HELP INFORM HOW WE MAKE PODCASTS IN THE FUTURE. AND YOUR COMPLETE AND CANDID ANSWERS WILL HELP US CONTINUE TO BRING YOU UNPARALLELED ACCESS AND INSIGHT INTO THE HEART OF SOCIAL JUSTICE IN AMERICA. SO PLEASE GO TO LAVAFORGOOD.COM/SURVEYAND PARTICIPATE TODAY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. The War on Drugs is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts in association with Signal Co. No1.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MDMA therapy gained a following among psychiatrists in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Some psychiatrists believed that it allowed their patients to achieve unique insights into their mental health problems. It was also during this time that MDMA started becoming more widely available on the street. It gained a foothold as a ‘party drug' under the names Ecstasy and Molly. Then, in 1985, the DEA declared an emergency ban on MDMA, placing it on the list of Schedule I drugs, meaning it had no medical use and a high potential for abuse. Today, guided MDMA therapy is on the verge of being approved by the FDA. This revolution in therapeutic treatment, mostly of PTSD, is largely because of the decades-long effort of one organization: MAPS (short for Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies). Clayton and Greg are joined by Ismael Ali, Director of Policy and Advocacy at MAPS to discuss the science and history of MDMA therapy.  To learn more and get involved, visit: MAPS: https://maps.org                                               MAPS Clinical Trials: https://maps.org/take-action/participate-in-trial/ PLEASE CLICK HERE TO TAKE PART IN OUR LISTENER SURVEY. YOUR FEEDBACK WILL HELP INFORM HOW WE MAKE PODCASTS IN THE FUTURE. AND YOUR COMPLETE AND CANDID ANSWERS WILL HELP US CONTINUE TO BRING YOU UNPARALLELED ACCESS AND INSIGHT INTO THE HEART OF SOCIAL JUSTICE IN AMERICA. SO PLEASE GO TO LAVAFORGOOD.COM/SURVEYAND PARTICIPATE TODAY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. The War on Drugs is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts in association with Signal Co. No1.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Clayton and Greg explain how the War on Drugs allows law enforcement to examine your medical records without a warrant. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO TAKE PART IN OUR LISTENER SURVEY. YOUR FEEDBACK WILL HELP INFORM HOW WE MAKE PODCASTS IN THE FUTURE. AND YOUR COMPLETE AND CANDID ANSWERS WILL HELP US CONTINUE TO BRING YOU UNPARALLELED ACCESS AND INSIGHT INTO THE HEART OF SOCIAL JUSTICE IN AMERICA. SO PLEASE GO TO LAVAFORGOOD.COM/SURVEYAND PARTICIPATE TODAY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. The War on Drugs is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts in association with Signal Co. No1.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jesse Gould graduated from Cornell University in 2009 and shortly thereafter, driven by a sense of duty and patriotism, enlisted in the Airborne Rangers. He returned home in 2014 from three tours in Afghanistan only to find himself with debilitating PTSD. After finding that none of the traditional treatments offered by the VA helped his PTSD, Jesse quit his job in finance, sold all his belongings, and took off for Peru where he underwent a traditional ayahuasca healing ritual. The experience was transformative. Jesse now heads the Heroic Hearts Foundation that helps veterans who are suffering from PTSD find the psychedelic treatment they need to heal. Jesse talks with Clayton and Greg about his personal journey and how psychedelics, long demonized by the War on Drugs, are now being seen by the medical community as a possible key to helping solve our veteran health crisis.  To learn more and get involved, visit: https://www.heroicheartsproject.org PLEASE CLICK HERE TO TAKE PART IN OUR LISTENER SURVEY. YOUR FEEDBACK WILL HELP INFORM HOW WE MAKE PODCASTS IN THE FUTURE. AND YOUR COMPLETE AND CANDID ANSWERS WILL HELP US CONTINUE TO BRING YOU UNPARALLELED ACCESS AND INSIGHT INTO THE HEART OF SOCIAL JUSTICE IN AMERICA. SO PLEASE GO TO LAVAFORGOOD.COM/SURVEYAND PARTICIPATE TODAY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. The War on Drugs is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts in association with Signal Co. No1.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Greg tells Clayton about the time the police in Henry Country, GA served a No Knock Warrant to the wrong house and violated the civil liberties of a 79 year old innocent man. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO TAKE PART IN OUR LISTENER SURVEY. YOUR FEEDBACK WILL HELP INFORM HOW WE MAKE PODCASTS IN THE FUTURE. AND YOUR COMPLETE AND CANDID ANSWERS WILL HELP US CONTINUE TO BRING YOU UNPARALLELED ACCESS AND INSIGHT INTO THE HEART OF SOCIAL JUSTICE IN AMERICA. SO PLEASE GO TO LAVAFORGOOD.COM/SURVEYAND PARTICIPATE TODAY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. The War on Drugs is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts in association with Signal Co. No1.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Clayton and Greg are joined by New York Times columnist Maia Szalavitz to discuss one of the least talked about consequences of the War on Drugs: the criminalization of pain. Millions of Americans have been cut off from the pain medications they need to survive (including terminal cancer patients) as the United States tries to stem the tide of the opioid epidemic. Doctors who treat patients with chronic pain are finding themselves being labeled by the DEA as drug traffickers. The CDC has set guidelines for pain management that has left thousands of Americans without the medications they need. The results have been as horrifying as the opioid crisis these policies were meant to address—another clear example of the systemic failure of the War on Drugs. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO TAKE PART IN OUR LISTENER SURVEY. YOUR FEEDBACK WILL HELP INFORM HOW WE MAKE PODCASTS IN THE FUTURE. AND YOUR COMPLETE AND CANDID ANSWERS WILL HELP US CONTINUE TO BRING YOU UNPARALLELED ACCESS AND INSIGHT INTO THE HEART OF SOCIAL JUSTICE IN AMERICA. SO PLEASE GO TO LAVAFORGOOD.COM/SURVEYAND PARTICIPATE TODAY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. The War on Drugs is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts in association with Signal Co. No1.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.