Students for Sensible Drug Policy

What Students for Sensible Drug Policy does

Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1998 that operates as the largest youth-led network dedicated to replacing the War on Drugs with evidence-based drug policies rooted in compassion and human rights. The organization is structured as a grassroots membership network with chapters on campuses and in communities across the United States, supplemented by an Albuquerque, NM presence. Its programmatic work spans marijuana policy reform, psychedelic policy reform, drug decriminalization, harm reduction, peer-based drug education (Just Say Know), and campus policy reform.

SSDP's core products and digital surface are modest: the HOPE (Harm reduction, Overdose prevention, Prevention, Education) app delivers a one-hour opioid overdose prevention training and lets users order free harm reduction supplies; the SSDP Connect mobile app (built on Buildfire) supports member engagement; and the Shop Sensibly e-commerce storefront sells merchandise and harm reduction products including drug test kits. There is no proprietary technology stack to speak of — the products are standard app and e-commerce platforms. Underlying assets are primarily programmatic: the U.S. Campus Policy Gradebook, the "Listen to Scientists" program, advocacy training curricula, and a large mobilized membership.

Revenue is generated through individual donations, corporate partnership programs, member contributions, merchandise and harm reduction product sales, and modest event registration fees (e.g., $15 minimum for certain webinars). Membership is free, the pricing model is freemium, and the go-to-market motion is community-led organizing combined with policy advocacy, public comment mobilization (notably producing nearly a quarter of the record 43,000+ comments on marijuana rescheduling), lobbying, and coalition work with allied organizations such as the Drug Policy Alliance, NORML, The Shulgin Foundation, the Cannabis Unity Coalition, and the Rights & Reason Project. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors with both Elected and Appointed Directors and led by Executive Director Kat Murti.

Name

Students for Sensible Drug Policy

Legal name

Students for Sensible Drug Policy

Website

https://ssdp.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Students for Sensible Drug Policy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and youth-led network founded in 1998 that mobilizes student chapters across the U.S. to advocate for evidence-based drug policy reform, harm reduction, and psychedelic research protections.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Drug Policy Advocacy

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Substance Use Disorder Prevention & Recovery Services (BPAGACAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Substance Use Prevention & Recovery Services (EDALAFAE), Student Wellness & Prevention Programs (Substance Use, Sexual Health, Bullying) (EDAJAIAG)

Keywords

• Drug policy reform
• Harm reduction services
• Nonprofit advocacy
• Youth organizing
• Cannabis policy reform

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: SSDP generates revenue through individual donations, corporate partnership programs, and member contributions. The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit with EIN 52-2296291.
2. Merchandise and Product Sales: The organization operates an e-commerce store (Shop Sensibly) selling merchandise and harm reduction products including drug test kits. Revenue from retail orders shipped Monday through Friday with same-day shipping for orders received by 11am PST.
3. Event Registration and Tickets: SSDP charges registration fees for certain events and conferences, such as the psychedelic science webinar ($15 minimum attendance fee) and the Rethinking Nicotine conference.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) is a youth-led nonprofit network that organizes students and young people around drug policy reform, harm reduction, and peer-based drug education. It operates a network of campus and community chapters, delivers harm reduction training via the HOPE app, runs advocacy campaigns including federal lobbying on cannabis rescheduling, and offers educational resources such as the Just Say Know program and the U.S. Campus Policy Gradebook. The organization also generates supplementary revenue through an online merchandise store (Shop Sensibly) selling harm reduction products and apparel.

Product overview

Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) is a nonprofit advocacy organization, not a technology product company. Its offerings consist of: the HOPE (Harm reduction, Overdose prevention, Prevention, Education) app for opioid overdose training and ordering free harm reduction supplies; SSDP Connect, a mobile app for member engagement; and an online merchandise store for harm reduction products. The organization's core work is advocacy, education, and policy reform rather than software products. The HOPE app is its primary digital product for delivering harm reduction education and distributing supplies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• HOPE App-Based Opioid Overdose Training A one-hour app-based training for opioid overdose prevention that allows users to complete training at their own pace and order free harm reduction supplies from SSDP. Targeted at students and community members seeking harm reduction education.
• SSDP Connect Mobile Application Mobile application for SSDP members and supporters to access resources, events, and connect with the organization. Targeted at chapter members, students, and supporters of drug policy reform.
• Shop Sensibly Online Merchandise Store Online store offering merchandise and harm reduction products including test kits, with shipping Monday through Friday and same-day shipping for orders received by 11am PST. Targeted at supporters of SSDP and individuals seeking harm reduction supplies.
• Just Say Know Peer-to-Peer Drug Education Program Evidence-based peer-to-peer drug education curriculum that empowers young people to navigate the complex choices regarding drugs and drug use. Targeted at students and chapter members for delivery on campuses.
• U.S. Campus Policy Gradebook
• Campus Harm Reduction Action Program Initiative that expands harm reduction in communities through campus action and partnerships with harm reduction service providers. Targeted at campus chapters and harm reduction partner organizations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly a quarter of 43,000+ public comments on marijuana scheduling submitted through SSDP's tools

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• The Shulgin FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026SSDP co-hosts events with The Shulgin Foundation focused on psychedelic science. The partnership includes the 'Ensuring the Future of Psychedelic Science' webinar featuring Gül Dölen, MD, PhD and Hamilton Morris discussing the legacy of Sasha and Ann Shulgin and the current state of psychedelic research.
• Rights & Reason ProjectcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 17 June 2026SSDP is represented by attorney Robert T. Rush of the Rights & Reason Project for legal filings related to DEA rescheduling hearings, including formal requests to participate in administrative proceedings and requests for reconsideration.
• Cannabis Unity CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 May 2026SSDP partners with the Cannabis Unity Coalition for the annual Cannabis Week of Unity lobbying events at the U.S. Capitol. SSDP staff including Kat Murti participate as panelists in lobby training sessions, and coalition members work together on federal cannabis reform advocacy.
• NORMLmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSSDP collaborates with NORML on cannabis policy advocacy. Both organizations were denied participation in the DEA rescheduling hearing and have joined in coalition calls for transparency and broader reform.
• Drug Policy AlliancemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSSDP partners with Drug Policy Alliance on public comment campaigns and policy advocacy. Together they built the public comment tool that generated nearly a quarter of the 43,000+ comments on marijuana scheduling.
• Prevention Point PittsburghminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSSDP Vice Chair Julia Hilbert serves as Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Coordinator at Prevention Point Pittsburgh, bridging harm reduction services with SSDP's tobacco harm reduction initiatives.
• Pearl InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSSDP Director of Strategy and Development Gina Giorgio spoke at the Pearl Institute Bicycle Day Symposium, an event focused on psychedelics and advancing policy, research, and healing.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS): Pioneer in psychedelic research, therapy, and policy advocacy; directly comparable in psychedelic policy reform space where SSDP is increasingly active through Shulgin Foundation and Pearl Institute partnerships.
• The Shulgin Foundation: Foundation preserving Alexander and Ann Shulgin's legacy and promoting psychedelic science; confirmed strategic partner of SSDP co-hosting psychedelic science programming.
• NORML: National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws; a foundational cannabis legalization advocacy group with overlapping federal policy priorities and confirmed coalition partner on DEA rescheduling advocacy.
• National Harm Reduction Coalition: National nonprofit advancing harm reduction approaches to drug use; mission-aligned with SSDP's HOPE training and overdose prevention work and serves similar advocacy and service-delivery audiences.
• Drug Policy Alliance: Largest U.S. drug policy reform nonprofit; directly comparable advocacy portfolio and a confirmed strategic partner of SSDP, having co-built the public comment tool that drove the 43,000+ comment mobilization.
• DanceSafe: Harm reduction organization providing drug-checking services and peer education; closely comparable in mission and youth-engaged harm reduction model that overlaps with SSDP's Just Say Know and Shop Sensibly offerings.
• Marijuana Policy Project: Leading U.S. cannabis policy reform organization focused on legalization at the state and federal levels, with overlapping goals around rescheduling and decriminalization.

Others

• Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM): Anti-legalization advocacy organization active in cannabis policy debates; operates in the same federal policy space as SSDP and recently barred SSDP's Executive Director from its summit, illustrating the polarized policy arena.

Emerging players

• Law Enforcement Action Partnership: Nonprofit of criminal justice professionals supporting drug policy and sentencing reform; comparable reform-focused advocacy but with a distinctive law-enforcement-led angle that differentiates it from SSDP's youth-led approach.

Regional players

• Prevention Point Pittsburgh: Regional harm reduction service provider based in Pennsylvania; directly comparable in harm-reduction mission and tied to SSDP through Vice Chair Julia Hilbert's dual role, though geographically concentrated in Pittsburgh.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Students+for+Sensible+Drug+Policy&url=https://ssdp.org
• Facebookfacebook.com/ssdp
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ssdpglobal

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Students for Sensible Drug Policy