The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) is located in Santa Cruz, California. Rick Doblin is the founder and executive director. MAPS is a research and educational organization that operates in the areas of medicine, research, law, and cultural contexts to help people benefit through the careful use of psychedelic drugs and marijuana. One of their main goals is to raise awareness and understanding of psychedelic substances. Ultimately, MAPS is working to establish a network of clinics in the United States using MDMA to treat patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).1
Among their many functions, MAPS works with scientists to design, secure funding, and obtain regulatory approval for their studies that use controlled substances. MAPS also organizes continuing medical education (CME) conferences, sponsors and holds lectures and seminars on the current state of marijuana and psychedelic research, and provides psychedelic harm reduction services at music festivals and Burning Man through the Zendo Project.
Currently, MAPS is studying MDMA-assisted therapy for treating PTSD, LSD and psilocybin-assisted therapies for the anxiety associated with death and dying, and ibogaine for treating drug addiction.
1. Doblin R. A Clinical Plan for MDMA (Ecstasy) in the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Partnering with the FDA. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs. 2002;34(2):185-194. doi:10.1080/02791072.2002.10399952