Kody Zalewski
Executive Committee, Decriminalize Nature Seattle; Co-Director, PMAW; Policy Analyst, Calyx Law; UW Medical Researcher
A rare dual-track figure operating simultaneously in medical research (UW neuroimaging) and policy advocacy (drafted SB 5201 amendments).
Biography
Kody Zalewski is one of the most uncommon profiles in the psychedelic policy space — a working medical researcher (neuroimaging at the University of Washington) who is simultaneously one of Washington State's most active psychedelic policy operators. As Executive Committee member of Decriminalize Nature Seattle and Co-Director of PMAW, he facilitated Seattle City Council Resolution 32021 (October 4, 2021), which deprioritized enforcement for psilocybin, ayahuasca, and ibogaine.
He served on the 2023 Washington Psilocybin Task Force and is currently working on amendments to SB 5201 for a regulated WA psilocybin framework. His policy analysis firm, Calyx Law, bridges academic research and legislative action — translating clinical evidence into the language and structures legislators need.
Organizations
Why They Matter to the LearnShrooms Community
Zalewski represents the model future of psychedelic policy: people who can read peer-reviewed neuroimaging studies AND draft bill amendments. Washington State's path to a regulated psilocybin program runs through his work.
Legal Context
For the legal landscape where Kody Zalewski operates, see psilocybin laws in Washington.