This book sounds like a good read! Especially since this will be a central issue at some point in the near future as more and more states experiment with legalization. In my opinion, harm should be at the center of concern for governments. The long term studies of members of Santo Daime and UDV churches demonstrate it is possible for psychedelic-centric religions to exist without perpetuating harm to society or individuals. In fact, it contributes to health of its members in many respects. These examples may also be proof that making such exemptions hard to acquire may be a good thing. Hard to get means devastating to lose, so they are highly incentivized to operate safely and ethically.
Mike Marinacci here. Thanks for this thoughtful review of my book.
Paul Pawlowski and the London Church of Aphrodite are discussed in detail in John Kruse's book, WAITING FOR UTOPIA. The book is a fascinating look at the early-Seventies UK festival scene, and its connections to both political radicalism of the era, and the roots of the Punk subculture. Apparently the dude is still alive, in his mid-nineties and living in a small town north of Brighton.
My pleasure, thanks for writing such a lovely book, I really enjoyed reading it! Thanks for the heads up too. I knew he was down that way, and was thinking of trying to interview him. The latter part of his life was taken up with republicanism from sources I've seen. One of the last of that generation!
Sounds really interesting. Thank you.
This book sounds like a good read! Especially since this will be a central issue at some point in the near future as more and more states experiment with legalization. In my opinion, harm should be at the center of concern for governments. The long term studies of members of Santo Daime and UDV churches demonstrate it is possible for psychedelic-centric religions to exist without perpetuating harm to society or individuals. In fact, it contributes to health of its members in many respects. These examples may also be proof that making such exemptions hard to acquire may be a good thing. Hard to get means devastating to lose, so they are highly incentivized to operate safely and ethically.
Mike Marinacci here. Thanks for this thoughtful review of my book.
Paul Pawlowski and the London Church of Aphrodite are discussed in detail in John Kruse's book, WAITING FOR UTOPIA. The book is a fascinating look at the early-Seventies UK festival scene, and its connections to both political radicalism of the era, and the roots of the Punk subculture. Apparently the dude is still alive, in his mid-nineties and living in a small town north of Brighton.
My pleasure, thanks for writing such a lovely book, I really enjoyed reading it! Thanks for the heads up too. I knew he was down that way, and was thinking of trying to interview him. The latter part of his life was taken up with republicanism from sources I've seen. One of the last of that generation!
Congratulations on a fine review Mike!
L4SD