In this episode, host Jill Sitnick speaks with New Mexico firefighter and advocate Paul Walton, executive director of Firefighters for Plant Medicine. Paul has spent more than seventeen years on the front lines. Like many first responders, he carried a heavy mix of trauma, insomnia, and chronic pain. After an injury and surgery, he turned to medical cannabis as an alternative to opioids and found that it helped not only his body but his mind and relationships. From there, he worked through his union and county government to change policy so firefighters could legally and safely use medical cannabis off duty. Now, as New Mexico develops regulations for psilocybin therapy, Paul is focused on ensuring first responders are included in a careful, ethics-informed way.
Key Topics
- Life as a career firefighter and the cumulative impact of trauma
- How medical cannabis supported pain relief, sleep, and therapy
- The long process of changing county policy and drug testing rules
- Misunderstandings about “drug-free workplace” policies and federal law
- Early outcomes for firefighters using medical cannabis under the new rules
- Upcoming psilocybin studies in New Mexico and why first responders need a seat at the table
- The importance of peer support and culture-informed facilitation
- Practical advice for unions and departments that want to explore similar changes
Notes
- This conversation is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice.
- Any use of cannabis or psilocybin should follow local laws and be discussed with qualified professionals.
What is The Psychedelic Scene Podcast?
The Psychedelic Scene Podcast celebrates, shares, and publicizes psychedelic music, art, and culture to bring together a global psychedelic community.