Project Manokranti


Project Manokranti -Advancing Drug Policy Reform and Mental Health in India

Introduction

Project Manokranti, an initiative of the Woodpeckers Initiative Foundation, seeks to transform India’s approach to drug policy and mental health by advocating for the decriminalization of psilocybin-producing fungi (e.g., Psilocybe cubensis) and cannabis. Inspired by the UN Special Rapporteur’s 2024 Report on Drug Use and the Right to Health, this project aligns with the growing body of international evidence that calls for health-centered, rights-based approaches to drug policy reform.

Project Manokranti also integrates the principles of psychedelic social work, promoting the therapeutic potential of natural substances to address mental health challenges such as treatment-resistant depression (TRD), PTSD, and anxiety disorders. Drawing from cutting-edge research and India’s cultural and social dynamics, this initiative aims to reduce stigma, expand access to mental health care, and create equitable, evidence-based drug policies.

Context and Rationale

India’s Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS), 1985, criminalizes substances like psilocybin and cannabis under Schedule I, which assumes “high abuse potential and no medical use.” However, this classification ignores mounting evidence supporting the therapeutic applications of these substances in mental health care.

Global studies, such as those conducted at Imperial College London and Johns Hopkins University, show that psilocybin can significantly alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety, particularly in cases of treatment-resistant conditions (Carhart-Harris et al., 2018; Griffiths et al., 2016). Similarly, cannabis has demonstrated efficacy in managing symptoms of PTSD and chronic pain, offering alternatives to conventional treatments that often have debilitating side effects (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2017).

The UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health (Mofokeng, 2024) emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between drug use and drug use disorders, advocating for harm reduction strategies that promote public health and human rights. Criminalization exacerbates stigma, restricts healthcare access, and disproportionately harms marginalized communities, including women, Dalits, tribals, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and economically disadvantaged groups.

Project Objectives

  1. Policy Advocacy and Legal Reform:

    • Advocate for the decriminalization of psilocybin-producing fungi and cannabis in India, emphasizing their therapeutic applications.
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    • Promote legislative reforms to enable research and controlled therapeutic use of these substances.
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  3. Harm Reduction and Education:

    • Implement harm reduction strategies to minimize the risks associated with drug use, including public education campaigns and community outreach.
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    • Provide mental health support and counseling services for people who use drugs (PWUD).
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  5. Judicial Engagement:

    • Pursue strategic litigation to challenge provisions in the NDPS Act that criminalize natural psychedelics and Cannabis advocating for policies informed by scientific evidence and human rights.
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  7. Capacity Building and Social Work Integration:

    • Train mental health professionals and social workers to administer naturalistic psilocybin-assisted therapies, with an emphasis on trauma resolution and harm reduction practices.
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  9. Research and Evidence-Based Advocacy:
    • Conduct and disseminate research on the efficacy of psilocybin and cannabis in treating mental health disorders, with a focus on underserved populations.

Key Interventions and Activities

  1. Community-Based Mental Health Programs:

    • Develop culturally sensitive, community-driven mental health programs that integrate psychedelic-assisted therapies.
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    • Train social workers and healthcare professionals to address trauma in marginalized populations, using psilocybin/Cannabis-based interventions (Haniff et al., 2024).
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  3. Policy and Legal Advocacy:

    • Collaborate with policymakers and legal experts to reform the NDPS Act, emphasizing the therapeutic potential of psilocybin and cannabis.
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    • Highlight global best practices, such as the Portugal model, which has successfully reduced drug-related harm through decriminalization and health-focused approaches (Van Amsterdam & van den Brink, 2022).
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  5. Harm Reduction Campaigns:

    • Design public education campaigns to reduce stigma and promote harm reduction strategies.
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    • Establish harm reduction centres offering safe spaces, counseling, and educational resources for PWUD.
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  7. Research and Clinical Trials:

    • Partner with academic institutions to conduct clinical trials on psilocybin for mental health disorders in India, ensuring adherence to ethical and cultural considerations.
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    • Publish findings in peer-reviewed journals and share insights through public forums to inform policy and practice.
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  9. Engagement with Marginalized Communities:

    • Address systemic inequities by involving marginalized groups in the design and implementation of harm reduction programs.
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    • Provide training and employment opportunities for community members in mental health and social work.

Alignment with Global and National Goals

  • UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

    • Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Promoting equitable access to mental health care through innovative therapies.
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    • Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Addressing the systemic barriers faced by marginalized communities in accessing healthcare.
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    • Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions): Reforming punitive drug policies to uphold human rights and promote social justice.
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  • Mental Healthcare Act, 2017:

    • Aligns with provisions such as the Right to Access Mental Healthcare (Section 18) and the Promotion of Mental Health Services (Section 29).
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    • Supports the Act’s emphasis on decriminalizing mental health-related conditions and expanding access to care.

Expected Outcomes

  • Policy reforms decriminalizing psilocybin and cannabis for therapeutic use and research.
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  • Greater public awareness and reduced stigma surrounding drug use and mental health challenges.
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  • Improved access to mental health care for underserved populations through naturalistic psilocybin-assisted therapies.
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  • Enhanced capacity of mental health professionals to deliver culturally relevant, evidence-based interventions.
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  • Establishment of a rights-based, health-centred framework for addressing drug use in India.

 

Project Manokranti envisions a paradigm shift in India’s drug policy landscape, where mental health care and drug policy reform converge to create compassionate, evidence-driven systems. Grounded in the principles of the UN Special Rapporteur’s Report on Drug Use and the Right to Health (2024) and informed by global research on psilocybin and cannabis, the project aims to reduce systemic inequities, foster healing, and promote mental well-being for all. By integrating innovative therapies into India’s mental health framework, Project Manokranti strives to build a more inclusive, equitable future.

References

  • Carhart-Harris, R. L., et al. (2018). Psilocybin with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression: six-month follow-up. Psychopharmacology.
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  • Griffiths, R. R., et al. (2016). Psilocybin produces sustained decreases in depression and anxiety. Journal of Psychopharmacology.
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  • Mofokeng, T. (2024). Drug use, harm reduction, and the right to health: Report of the Special Rapporteur. UN Human Rights Council.
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  • National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2017). The health effects of cannabis and cannabinoids: The current state of evidence and recommendations for research. Washington, DC: National Academies Press.
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  • Van Amsterdam, J., & van den Brink, W. (2022). Therapeutic potential of psilocybin: Evidence and challenges. Expert Opinion on Drug Safety.