Executive Director

Allison Hoots is an attorney at Hoots Law Practice PLLC. She has unique experience advising in all areas of the psychedelics space, particularly with respect to the right to religious exercise, for nearly ten years. She is a Member of Chacruna Institute for Psychedelic Plant Medicines’ Council for the Protection of Sacred Plants, and is the lead author of Chacruna’s Guide to RFRA & Best Practices for Psychedelic Plant Medicine Churches. Allison is Head Policy Counsel for New Yorkers for Mental Health Alternatives to develop policy creating legal access to psilocybin and working towards drug policy reform in New York State.

Treasurer

Brian Anderson, MD MSc is a public psychiatrist and researcher in San Francisco, California. For nearly two decades he has learned from, collaborated with, and sought to support communities that safely and responsibly use psychedelics as their sacraments. He speaks English, Spanish and Portuguese. His medical research is focused on improving psychosocial distress in end of life and palliative care patients.

Director of Operations; Secretary

Beth Topczewski is a spiritual guide based in Occidental, CA, dedicated to helping individuals attune to the deeper rhythms of spirit and fostering community connections for collective prayer and devotion. Her work is founded on a deep personal path integrating her studies in sacred mushroom and yagé traditions, her initiation as a diviner in the Dagara tradition, and her Catholic faith. With an MA in Somatic Psychology from CIIS, Beth’s approach honors body, mind, and spirit as beautiful pathways to healing and transformation. Her practice creates a compassionate, playful space that supports individuals in coming home to their own hearts.

Legal and Program Coordinator

Nicole Cohen Ochoa is a California-licensed lawyer and advocate for the responsible, safe, and intentional use of psychedelics and plant medicine. Nicole is dedicated to studying psychedelics and its practices, such as through courses offered by Chacruna Institute of Psychedelic Plant Medicines and the Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). Nicole worked alongside Andean and Shipibo Conibo Maestros (Shamans) to serve participants at The Healing Tree Center, an Ayahuasca and Huachuma (San Pedro) Retreat Center in the Valle Sagrado of Cusco, Peru, and in honor of her Peruvian culture, where her maternal family was born and raised, has become a citizen of Peru. Since 2022, she has worked as a lawyer to support clients serving sacramental communities.