João Taborda da Gama – Gama Gloria

João Gama is a founding partner of Gama Glória, a law firm based in Lisbon, and a senior advisor of the Albright Stonebridge Group, in Washington DC. João advises global companies, governments, patients and NGOs on the regulation, use, production and trade of controlled substances in medical, religious, spiritual and recreational contexts.João advises global clients interested in obtaining licenses to produce GMP psychedelics, API’s and analogues, to conduct clinical trials and scientific studies (including approvals with ethics committees), or in setting up clinics or retreat centres to deal with mental health issues, with a broad range of substances (e.g. Psilocybin, MDMA, Ketamine, Ayahuasca, Ibogaine, LSD, 1P-LSD), both in Portugal and abroad. João also advises doctors, psychologists and therapists on potential ethics and professional liability risks associated with psychedelic-assisted therapy.  João represented a religious organization on a freedom of religion issue related to the sacramental use of ayahuasca, and is the lawyer of the leading drug-checking organization.

João is a counsel to global organizations advocating for harm reduction and the responsible adult use of cannabis, psychedelics and entheogen plants.

A regular speaker on narcotics regulations and drug policy around the world, João published “The Regulation of Medical Cannabis in Portugal” (Brazil, 2019). He is affiliated with the Law School of the Portuguese Catholic University, where he has been teaching seminars on the Regulation of Controlled Substances and Drug Policy. João sits on the Business Ethics Committee of the Portuguese Pharma Association, and has served as a political advisor to the President of Portugal and was a member of the Portuguese Government.

Publications

• Ayahuasca – op ed
• A journey to the beginning of the mind – featured in the report as specialist lawyer
• Drugs After Prohibition – paving the way to regulation – conference

Socials

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