Culture
“SXSW Opens Public Voting On Dozens Of Marijuana And Psychedelics Panel Proposals For 2026”
Published
on January 22, 2025
Cannabis And Psychedelics Panels Return To SXSW As Public Voting Opens For 2026 Festival
Public voting is now open for panels being considered for inclusion at next year’s South by Southwest (SXSW) festival, giving anyone the opportunity to influence which topics—and which voices—will take the stage in 2026.
Once again, cannabis and psychedelics are well represented among the proposed sessions, though the total number has dipped compared to recent years. According to the SXSW PanelPicker lineup, there are 16 panels focused on marijuana and more than 40 related to psychedelics currently up for consideration.
The cannabis-related proposals span a wide range of themes, including culture, criminal justice, agriculture, wellness, and business, while psychedelic panels explore everything from trauma treatment and neurological healing to art, creativity, and space exploration.
Taken together, the proposals reflect how drug policy—and public conversations around it—continue to evolve from the margins toward the mainstream.
Marijuana Panels Highlight Justice, Markets, And Normalization
Several marijuana-focused panels zero in on the tension between legalization and lingering inequities.
One proposed session, “Cannabis Prisoners in the Era of Legalization,” would feature advocates from the Last Prisoner Project alongside former NFL player Ricky Williams. The panel would examine how tens of thousands of people remain incarcerated for cannabis offenses despite legalization spreading nationwide, and explore solutions such as clemency, reentry support, and justice-centered reform.
Another panel, “C-Stores and the Mainstream-ification of Cannabis,” looks at how convenience stores are becoming unexpected drivers of cannabis normalization. As THC beverages, gummies, and hemp-derived products increasingly appear at gas stations and corner stores, panelists would discuss what this shift means for regulation, consumer behavior, and the future of cannabis distribution.
Marketing challenges in regulated industries are also on the agenda. “The Censored Playbook: Marketing When You Can’t Advertise,” featuring journalist and marketer David Downs, would explore how cannabis and psychedelic brands build visibility and trust in an environment where traditional advertising channels remain largely off-limits.
Meanwhile, “Marijuana & Monopolies: The Fight for Free & Fair Markets,” led by Parabola Center founder Shaleen Title, would examine the risks of consolidation and monopolization in the cannabis industry, highlighting policy frameworks designed to protect small businesses and consumer choice.
The wellness angle appears prominently as well. “The Wellness Revolution: Living and Leading For Good,” featuring Steve and Andrew DeAngelo alongside podcast host JoJo Simmons, would focus on cannabis and psychedelics as tools for healing, inclusion, and social liberation—particularly for communities historically harmed by prohibition.
Psychedelics Panels Push Boundaries Of Science, Art, And Healing
Psychedelics dominate the slate of drug-related proposals, with sessions ranging from playful to deeply clinical.
At the lighter end of the spectrum is “The Psychedelic Puppet Show: Tripping Down the Art Hole,” featuring famed mycologist Paul Stamets. The session would blend storytelling, art, and humor while spotlighting psychedelic culture and the artists who help shape it.
Several panels focus on ibogaine, a powerful psychedelic gaining attention for its potential to treat PTSD, opioid use disorder, and traumatic brain injuries. Sessions include “Ibogaine: A Hail Mary for Pro Athletes with Head Trauma,” “Healing the Helpers: Psychedelics, Police & First Responders,” and “Broken Barriers: The Texas Ibogaine Initiative,” which would feature Texas Rep. Cody Harris (R) discussing bipartisan efforts to explore psychedelic-assisted therapy for veterans.
Other proposals explore the frontier of psychedelic science. “Rewiring the Brain: Psilocybin and Neurological Healing” would feature former NHL player Daniel Carcillo discussing his recovery from traumatic brain injury, while “Expediting Psychedelic Research to Qualify for Right to Try” examines how compounds like ibogaine could be made available to patients with life-threatening conditions under existing federal law.
Broader philosophical and creative discussions are also represented. “What Psychedelics Reveal About Creating Anything,” featuring UCSF researcher Robin Carhart-Harris, explores how lessons from altered states can inform design, creativity, and problem-solving. And “Cosmic Trip: Unlocking the Power of Psychedelics—in Space” pushes the conversation even further, examining how psychedelic research might apply to neurodegenerative disease and human health beyond Earth.
A Snapshot Of Where Drug Policy Conversations Are Heading
While the number of cannabis and psychedelic panels proposed for SXSW 2026 is slightly lower than in past years, the diversity and depth of topics suggest the conversation is far from slowing down.
From criminal justice and market fairness to neurological healing and creative exploration, the proposed panels reflect a cultural moment where cannabis and psychedelics are no longer fringe subjects—but increasingly central to discussions about health, policy, and the future of society.
Voting through SXSW’s PanelPicker will determine which of these conversations ultimately make it to the stage.
