Ethos & Values
Terrapin’s Foundations
Terrapin’s Ethos
At Terrapin, our ethos is simple: the best legal protection is built on ethical foundations.
The power of psychedelics and plant medicines rests not just in the medicines themselves but in the containers that hold them. Responsible frameworks and intentional care create the conditions for their safe and intentional use.
We believe that legal protection should serve a higher purpose: not just to defend against external threats but to uphold the core values of the psychedelic ecosystem and those who operate within it. That means advocating for frameworks that center on safety, access, reciprocity, and responsibility. It means refusing to cut corners or defending unethical models. And it means equipping those who work with psychedelics with the tools, knowledge, and legal structures needed to thrive.
Our work is not just about reducing liability and advocating for policy change, it’s also about building legal structures that reflect the profound responsibility of working with psychedelics. Whether through regulatory guidance, religious protections, harm-reduction policies, or advocacy efforts, we are committed to ensuring that those who engage in this work can do so safely and responsibly.
Why We’re Here & Who We Serve
The Purpose Behind Our Work
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The intersection of psychedelics and the law is evolving, and we believe in shaping that future with responsibility, intention, and care. Our work ensures that those contributing to healing and expanded consciousness can do so with the protection and structure they need to do their work safely.
Our Approach: Showing up for and with one another
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Forward-Thinking Strategy – We help clients anticipate legal shifts, manage risks, and build strong, lasting foundations.
Collaborative Approach – Every client is different, and we take the time to craft legal solutions that align with their mission. We stand with our clients, offering guidance that is as invested in their vision as they are.
Clear, Actionable Guidance – The law can be complex, but working with us never feels that way. We break things down, offer real solutions, and make sure our clients feel informed and empowered.
Clients Who Inspire Us
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We are honored to work with clients who push boundaries, challenge systems, and create spaces for healing, transformation, and expanded consciousness.
What inspires us isn’t just what they do, but how they do it. They lead with integrity, care about those they serve, and are committed to ensuring psychedelic spaces remain safe, accessible, and sustainable.
Terrapin’s Guiding Values
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Service
We see our legal work as a way to support those bringing healing and transformation into the world. Our role is to provide legal support so those working with plant medicine can focus on their practice, knowing they have a reliable framework behind them.
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Reciprocity & Stewardship
We recognize the deep responsibility that comes with working in psychedelic law. We honor the cultural and historical stewards of plant medicines while ensuring that the legal structures we help create serve and protect future generations.
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Legal Excellence
The details matter. Our work is built on thorough research, precision, innovative legal solutions, and an unwavering commitment to getting it right. We take pride in delivering legal work that is not just thorough, but thoughtful and aligned with the medicines and the law.
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Respect for Tradition and Innovation
Plant Medicines have been used for healing and transformation for thousands of years, and they’re also shaping the future of medicine and mental health. We acknowledge the wisdom of ancestral knowledge while supporting forward-thinking applications of plant medicine and psychedelics in modern contexts. Both tradition and innovation deserve legal protection and respect.
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Ethical Responsibility
Law should be a force for protection, not exploitation. We hold ourselves accountable to high standards, ensuring that the policies we shape and the legal strategies we create reflect the principles of integrity, safety, and justice.
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Accessibility & Equity
Legal support should be available to those who need it, not just those who can afford it. We offer flexible fee structures and work with mission-driven organizations to expand access to legal guidance.