“Think For Yourself & Question Authority” – Timothy Leary

Rick Doblin Ph.D. is the Founder and President of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, commonly known as MAPS.

Over the course of MAPS’ 37-year history, Dr. Doblin has played an immense role in the initiation of government-approved clinical trials examining the therapeutic potential of cannabis as well as MDMA-assisted psychotherapy.

It is important to consider any public figure’s overall impact with a critical and nuanced perspective; recognizing both their strengths and limitations while evaluating their work based on its merits and impact. Overall, the question of whether or not Dr. Doblin should resign from MAPS is a complex and multifaceted issue that requires careful consideration and evaluation of all available evidence and perspectives.

When people hold positions of leadership, it's essential that they hold themselves to the highest ethical standards and take responsibility for their actions. Although Dr. Doblin is considered by many to be a “hero” and “visionary leader”, this petition has been created so as to provide Dr. Doblin's colleagues (and the general public) with the ability to voice their frustrations with his choices, actions, and statements in his simultaneous role as the President and Founder of MAPS.

Terence McKenna once stated that the "enemy that will really subvert the enterprise of building a world based on clarity is the belief that we cannot point out the pernicious forms of idiocy that flourish in our own community. And this problem is growing worse all the time […]  Now I think it's time to refine our mathematical skills, learn to think straight, and not be afraid to denounce the pernicious forms of foolishness which are vitiating the energies of our community and making us appear marginal and absurd in the discourse about TRULY transforming society."

**(See Disclaimer At Bottom)**

By signing this petition, you affirm that you agree with ANY of the following evidence-based OPINIONS:

1. MAPS will be better served by new leadership.
2. A change in leadership at MAPS won’t change its mission of healing.
3. Dr. Doblin has engaged in conduct unbecoming of a President of a pharmaceutical research organization.
4. Dr. Doblin is no longer fit to serve in his capacity at MAPS.  
5. Dr. Doblin has damaged MAPS’ reputation.
6. Dr. Doblin has routinely displayed grave errors in judgment.
7. Dr. Doblin has disgraced his role as the leader of a community whose mission is centered on healing.
8. Dr. Doblin’s professed belief that present-day Indigenous Amazonians are akin to “living cavemen” is deeply offensive and undermines MAPS' goal of "mass mental health".
9. Dr. Doblin’s current plans to conduct experimental MDMA research within Ukrainian refugee camps violate Articles 6 & 8 of The Nuremberg Code.
10. Dr. Doblin’s choice to repeatedly encourage the general public to practice psychedelic psychotherapy without appropriate licensure is dangerous and unacceptable.
11. Dr. Doblin has abused the public’s trust by repeatedly mischaracterizing the safety/risk profile of MDMA and MDMA-assisted psychotherapy.
12. Dr. Doblin's recent public statement that he administered MDMA to his own dogs is deeply concerning and (if proven true) would amount to an admission of animal abuse. 
13. Dr. Doblin has misinformed the general public about the information contained within the “Cover Story: Power Trip” podcast.
14. Dr. Doblin's choice to continuously characterize a MAPS clinical trial participant's sexual abuse at the hands of her MAPS-trained therapist as a "sexual relationship" is absolutely unacceptable.
15. Dr. Doblin has, by his own definition, engaged in a "cover-up" related to patient abuse within a MAPS-sponsored clinical trial.
16. Dr. Doblin has demonstrated a consistent lack of transparency and honesty in his public statements.
17. Dr. Doblin has undermined the field of psychedelic research with his questionable conduct.
18. Dr. Doblin should immediately tender his resignation from all positions held within MAPS and Lykos Therapeutics (formerly known as MAPS Public Benefit Corporation). so that he may begin a fulfilling retirement.

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Four publications detailing the above-mentioned opinions:

1) "Your Brain on Science" Podcast Link:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1dZ2Bx4KcopVkfD7jK4zM7?si=hQESkvf9T2u78ruxF4C65g&context=spotify%3Ashow%3A7x20DXyIUbAn7LCxZVsqSq&dd=1&nd=1

2) "The Doblin Effect (Part 1)" Podcast Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8OrbQ9H17g

3) "The Doblin Effect (Part 2)" Podcast Link:
(To Be Released in December 2023)

4) An Open Letter To The Editorial Board Of Psychopharmacology
https://medium.com/@sashatsisko/an-open-letter-to-the-editors-of-psychopharmacology-cec46d1be07e
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Supplemental Materials:

“Cover Story: Power Trip” Episode #6 (“Open Heart Surgery”)
https://open.spotify.com/episode/55ev3zXuFZirWvANMYOuCl?si=fd9a564c719943c9

“Cover Story: Power Trip” Episode #7 (“Political Science”)
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3JPGwLhImeur3kI8OOLaEd?si=314cdd91cb064dc3

Additional Supplemental Materials:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLy5tH27KW8YEJiCvb3QJ0luW6F9nXAJ7X

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**Post-Script: A previous version of this petition described Dr. Doblin as the (current) Executive Director of MAPS. I wish to correct the record and state that I was not aware Dr. Doblin's longstanding role as executive director was handed over to Kris Lotlikar in January of 2023. I wish to offer this statement so as to clarify the issue and offer apologies for any confusion this has caused. I regret the error and look forward to continuing to receive community input on this pressing matter.

**DISCLAIMER: Only Sasha Sisko was involved in the production of this petition. This petition contains opinions held by its author (Sasha Sisko); these opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of those affiliated with the author. This petition contains links to third-party websites and such links are ONLY for the convenience of those who read this petition. No individual or organization should act inappropriately (or refrain from acting appropriately) on the basis of the information derived from this petition.