Genna Walsh JD’24 publishes two ABA articles on psilocybin

Genna Walsh JD'24 never imagined her path would lead to law school, let alone educating others on psilocybin. After earning her undergraduate degree in literary journalism and political science, she dove into a career in real estate. After a number of years, the upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic shutting down the real estate industry provided the perfect opportunity for her to take a leap she never quite had the guts for before - going to law school.

Walsh applied to Willamette Law because it was one of the few schools with an extended admissions deadline in July. Initially, she was rejected. Not one to give up easily, she appealed the rejection. In spite of initial concerns about not being able to make it to the mandatory orientation in time, she was admitted to Willamette Law and arrived at orientation only a week later.

Adjusting to law school and life in Oregon, after living in California, was a significant challenge. But, she looked at it as an adventure. "In the first year, law school is survival, you figure it out. It's sink or swim," Walsh recalls.

Despite the initial challenges, Walsh has blossomed in law school, seizing every opportunity available. By transitioning from a career to full-time study, she gained a newfound appreciation for the focus and skill-building that law school offered.

Embracing all that law school has to offer, Walsh attended the Tanzania trip with Professors Sheryl Buske and Susan Cook, which allowed her to see how legal concepts could be applied in international settings. It solidified her understanding that once you understand the law, you can't help but see it all around you. She also participated in the Trial Practice course taught by Judge Norman Hill and Judge Rafael Caso, even though trial practice is not an area of interest for her. Both experiences pushed her beyond her comfort zone and broadened her perspective on the impact of the law.

Another experience that has stuck with Walsh is her participation in the Trusts & Estates Clinic led by Professor Susan Cook. The clinical law experience allowed her to not only learn the hands-on skills of being an attorney but also contribute to the community. Knowing that the first few years of being an attorney can be a lot of work, Walsh was motivated to help those that may not be able to access affordable legal representation otherwise.

Reflecting on her journey, Walsh recognizes that law school has shown her that experiences can be both fun and challenging at the same time. "I used to let fear get in the way. In law school, I have continually faced things that I was afraid of and it's made me stronger, just like conditioning for the gym," she shares.

While her time in law school has both challenged and surprised her, it has also opened her eyes to how she can educate others about her passion for psilocybin. Walsh has long been interested in wellness - both physical and mental wellness. In her free time, she researches holistic health. In particular, she has watched the evolution of the national and local conversation around psychedelic drug reform, specifically psilocybin, and heard first hand stories about how the drug has changed people's lives.

When it came time to fulfill her Graduation Writing Requirement, the choice was clear - psilocybin. Walsh's passion for the subject led her to publish two articles for the ABA. The two articles, "Access to Oregon's Psilocybin Services" and "Rescheduling Psilocybin" aim to educate others and destigmatize the use of psilocybin. Professor Bruce Howell's guidance to focus on the science behind it resonated with her, as she believes that understanding the science can alleviate unfounded fears.

Throughout the process, she sought to educate others and destigmatize the use of psilocybin. Walsh says "there are a lot of myths out there about psilocybin, and I view my work as educating the public."

While psilocybin-assisted therapy is gaining momentum across the country, Walsh has not been surprised to see Oregon as the first state in the United States to legalize psilocybin services. She sees the state as very forward in terms of people's autonomy and knows that other states will be watching to see how things progress. By writing about psilocybin, Walsh is hoping to make the topic more approachable for everyone and that it will encourage other states to follow Oregon.

The writing process was more difficult than Walsh expected. Writing something and putting it out into the world was scary, but working with the publishers was rewarding as it forced her to think critically about what was included in both articles. She shares, "I am surprised I did a second article because the first was so hard and time consuming. But, as an advocate, I feel it's my job to educate others."

In addition to educating others about psilocybin, Walsh has also made it a point to connect with local and national legal organizations and attorneys that are interested in and working in psychedelic law. She worked as a law clerk at Emerge Law Group in Portland, Oregon, in the psychedelic practice group. This experience helped her to make connections and to see the work that could be available after graduation. She is also a member of the Psychedelic Bar Association and attends monthly committee meetings. Walsh reflects that "everyone is a trailblazer in this area so reaching out to every attorney and every law firm that is working in and around psilocybin has been imperative."

Following law school, Walsh remains committed to her passion for psilocybin education. She is currently living in Salem, Oregon and working remotely for an attorney in California. Long-term, she aspires to find a career that allows her to travel, work remotely, and continue her advocacy in the field of psychedelic law.

Regardless of where her journey takes her, Walsh is determined to continue writing about new legal issues and information related to psilocybin, ensuring that her voice remains a powerful force in the ongoing conversation surrounding this important topic.

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