Veteran drug policy advocate takes the helm as HAF builds on its central policy, advocacy, and communications role in state-level access to psychedelic care
The Healing Advocacy Fund (HAF), the nation’s leading nonprofit supporting legal and regulated psychedelic-assisted healing, announced today that Taylor West is the organization’s new executive director. Based in Colorado, West is a veteran drug policy advocate who also brings to the organization an extensive background in electoral politics and communications strategy.
After serving as an advisor to the 2020 Oregon Psilocybin Services Initiative campaign, West was a key strategic leader for the 2022 Natural Medicine Health Act campaign in Colorado. These voter-approved ballot initiatives created the nation’s first two state-regulated psychedelic healing programs. (Oregon’s program launched in January of 2023 and has already served more than 3,000 clients. Colorado’s program will come online in early 2025.)
West joins HAF amidst a remarkable sea change in attitudes and policy related to psychedelics in the United States. In 2024 alone, 28 additional states have considered some form of legislation or policy change related to psychedelic-assisted care. The shift is driven in part by pioneering research at leading universities showing that psychedelic-assisted therapy can help those suffering from mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and addiction.
“Like most of us, I’ve watched people I care about struggle with mental health and wellness in their lives, and often without getting the help they need from traditional care alone,” said West. “I believe people deserve access to psychedelic-assisted care as another promising tool in the toolbox. And they deserve for that care to be held to clear standards, accountability, and trustworthiness. That’s the work HAF supports, and it’s why I’m so honored to take on this role.”
HAF was founded in 2020 to support the successful implementation of Oregon’s program. Under the leadership of outgoing executive director Sam Chapman, HAF has provided critical education, policy expertise, and community-building to protect and expand safe, affordable access to psychedelic healing. Following the 2022 passage of Colorado’s Natural Medicine Health Act, HAF expanded into that state, bringing lessons learned from Oregon and policy resources to support the program’s development.
“I’m so proud of what we’ve been doing at HAF to support the groundbreaking programs in Oregon and Colorado,” said Chapman. “Their success will accelerate the acceptance of this powerful tool for mental health and well being. After four years of intensive work, I’m thrilled to hand the baton to Taylor, who I’ve known and worked with for years. HAF can help set a standard for thoughtful psychedelic policy and advocacy across the country, and Taylor is the right leader to guide those efforts.”
In addition to her work on the Oregon and Colorado initiatives, West’s background includes years of leadership in both psychedelic and cannabis policy reform. Most recently, she served as a philanthropic advisor to major donors seeking to support careful expansion of the psychedelic field, as well as co-creating the inaugural UC Berkeley Psychedelics Survey in conjunction with the Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics. She has also served as the deputy director of the National Cannabis Industry Association, held senior positions on several high-profile electoral campaigns, and spent four years in Washington, D.C., working on a variety of communications and government relations projects.
“HAF has been a powerful advocate for thoughtful policy and implementation in Oregon and Colorado,” said West. “The opportunity to continue that valuable work and bring the lessons we’re learning to policymakers and advocates across the country is incredible. I’m so grateful to join this remarkable team.”
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About the Healing Advocacy Fund. A 501c3 non-profit organization, the Healing Advocacy Fund protects and expands safe, affordable state-regulated access to psychedelic healing for all who need it.
