Psychedelic Society of the Ozarks Inaugurates Missouri‘s First Psychedelic Conference
Springfield, Missouri recently hosted its first psychedelic conference, organized by the Psychedelic Society of the Ozarks (PSOTO), a local nonprofit focused on education, community-building, and harm reduction surrounding psychedelics and plant medicine. The day-long event, open to residents aged 18 and older, brought together leading figures in the psychedelic field.
Over 250 attendees explored a diverse range of topics, encompassing neuroscience, mental health, molecular research, indigenous wisdom, ceremonial practices, and current public policy developments. Alongside the educational sessions, a marketplace featured regional vendors offering holistic wellness services, integration tools, visionary art, and products promoting conscious living.
“We’re cultivating a space where science meets spirit, and community meets curiosity,” stated PSOTO President and Chairman of the Board, Joshua Wahba. Wahba, who also serves as senior vice president at Dynamic DNA Laboratories – where he contributed to the launch of the first psychedelic substance DNA panel – explained that the conference was inspired by similar events attended by himself and others in the local community. PSOTO officially began operations on January 1, 2025.
Wahba emphasized the organization’s core mission: “The work isn’t about glorifying substances.It’s about fostering informed education, honoring cultural roots and building safer pathways to healing and change.” He expressed hope that the conference provided attendees with an opportunity to explore the potential of psychedelic tools for healing, consciousness expansion, and connection.
The conference boasted a diverse speaker lineup including doctors, therapists, an indigenous wisdom keeper, an attorney, a military commander, and keynote speaker Ron Hicks. Hicks is a former missouri House representative and now a nationally recognized advocate for psychedelic-assisted therapy, criminal justice reform, and healing-centered policy.
Marisa Frazier, PSOTO Chairwomen of Events, highlighted the importance of informed engagement with psychedelics. “Getting very high-quality information about how psychedelics can be a tool for personal growth, rather than what the media has sometimes portrayed them as in the past,” she said. Frazier, a holistic health coach, sacred medicine practitioner, and conservation program coordinator for the sierra Club, presented on integration – the process of applying insights gained from psychedelic experiences to daily life – at the conference. She urged attendees to “treat psychedelics with respect, knowing that these are very powerful tools approached with intention.”
Despite receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback, Wahba acknowledged a few minor complaints following the event, which he deemed a success overall.
A fundraiser dinner held at Avanzare Italian dining following the conference supported PSOTO’s advocacy efforts. Proceeds will contribute to electing candidates who support the legalization of psychedelic medicine and funding ongoing educational and harm reduction programs.
Looking ahead, PSOTO plans to engage in community service initiatives, including clothing and food drives during the holidays, and participation in local stream and highway cleanups. Planning for the 2026 conference is scheduled to begin on January 1, 2026.
