Sebastian William Foster: Set, Setting, and Statute

Set, Setting, and Statute: A Legal Journey through Psychedelic Prohibition, Human Rights, and the Rule of Law

Sebastian William Foster

People have sought out psychedelic experiences for thousands of years, from ancient rock art and sacred ceremonies to the laboratories of modern medicine. So how did these substances end up among the most tightly prohibited in the world?

This talk follows that journey. Beginning in deep history, we move through the political and legal developments of the twentieth century, when psychedelic prohibition became embedded in the international drug-control system. From there, we enter the courtroom, where human rights arguments are putting that prohibition to the test under South Africa’s progressive Constitution. Finally, we reach the heart of the matter — a growing disconnect between what the law says these substances are and what they truly appear to be. In this ever-growing disconnect, what happens to the law’s legitimacy?

In psychedelic research, set and setting refer to the mindset and surroundings that shape an experience. On 20 October, we will explore a third influence: statute — the laws behind the criminalisation of psychedelics