Dr. David Nathan: Drug Policy Reform & Cannabis Legalization

Doctors in Business

In this episode, our guest is Dr. David L. Nathan, M.D., psychiatrist, founder of Doctors for Drug Policy Reform (D4DPR), and co-designer of the universal cannabis symbol. We talk about his motivation behind founding a non-profit and the challenges that came with it. We also explore what it’s like working with politicians to make physician voices heard and to create evidence-based policies. In 2019, Dr. Nathan testified in front of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee regarding cannabis regulation and legalization. He professes his love for graphic designing and labeling which, with the help of his son, Eli, led to them designing the International Intoxicating Cannabis Products Symbol (IICPS), adopted by four states now. This episode ought to be of interest to anyone interested in advocacy work in healthcare and understanding a doctor’s perspective on drug legalization and regulation in the U.S.

Follow us on Twitter @doctorsinbiz to meet more creative doctors! This episode was hosted and edited by David Park. Music for this episode is credited to Nightfloat.

Timestamps

(00:57) What’s D4DPR?

(02:08) What does D4DPR do?

(05:17) Biden pardons Marijuana users

(07:44) Starting a non-profit

(14:30) Testifying in front of Congress

(16:00) Increase in ER visits by children in newly legalized states?

(21:40) Evidence-based public health policy

(26:13) Risks of underage use of cannabis

(32:40) Designing the universal cannabis symbol

(37:37) Destigmatizing cannabis use

(40:50) Hit’em where they ain’t