What happens when a veteran firefighter confronts the emotional cost of a career spent saving others and discovers healing in plant medicine?In this powerful episode, we sit down with Paul Walton, a Bernalillo County firefighter and co-founder of Firefighters for Plant Medicine, to explore his deeply personal journey through trauma, cannabis reform, and psychedelic-assisted healing. This is a conversation about emotional truth, systemic change, and how psychedelic advocacy is reshaping mental health for first responders.What You’ll Learn:Why traditional trauma treatment often fails frontline workersHow Paul helped change county policy to allow off-duty medical cannabis useThe profound impact of psilocybin-assisted therapy on PTSD and depressionHow microdosing can serve as a “soft entry point” for resistant populationsA grassroots blueprint for bringing psychedelic access to first responders nationwideEpisode Highlights:00:00 – Why Paul Walton is rewriting the mental health script for firefighters05:14 – The story behind policy change: How cannabis reform happened at the county level12:47 – From opiates to ayahuasca: A turning point in Paul’s healing journey18:33 – Psilocybin as “20 years of therapy in one session”, and why integration matters25:02 – The invisible trauma load of first responders, and why traditional therapy falls short31:40 – How microdosing builds trust and softens stigma in resistant communities36:18 – What’s next: Funding, equity, and legislative strategy for psychedelic access39:45 – Final reflections on purpose, perseverance, and the power of plant medicineMeet the Guest:Paul Walton is a 17-year veteran of the Bernalillo County Fire Department and co-founder of Firefighters for Plant Medicine, a grassroots movement advocating for psychedelic access and cannabis rights for first responders. His work is paving the way for trauma-informed legislation and integrative healing protocols across the U.S.Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:Firefighters for Plant Medicine – Advocacy & education platformCannabis off-duty policy model – Now enacted at the county level in New MexicoMicrodosing protocols – For PTSD symptom management and emotional softeningZendo Project Peer Support – Sitter and peer-care model for psychedelic journeysPsychedelic-Assisted Therapy Association (PATA) – Training for first responder therapy integration“After years of suppressing my own trauma, plant medicine didn’t just help me heal, it gave me purpose. Now, I’m using that purpose to make sure no firefighter has to suffer in silence.”This is more than a podcast. It’s a frontline report from the heart of psychedelic reform.For the best in microdosing products and education, visit http://mamadose.com Connect with Paul:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-walton-889520377/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulwalton7433/Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVph0k0GQ79tkki0uI1bHAA Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/medicinewiththemedals Connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/medicine_with_the_medals/ Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theplantmedicinepath/

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