rick doblin, self proclaimed hippie turned advocate, researcher and fundraiser began his mission. >> it became apparent to me that the only way back into legal use of mdma would be through the fda to medicalize mdma through scientific research. >> launching maps into a 30 year struggle with federal regulators, thats resulted in small, but privately funded mdma studies across the world. coming up on techknow. >> it's kind of an orangish color. so it's possibly either methamphetamine or amphetamine. >> an historic election... >> you and i, we're going to change this country... and we will change the world. >> monumental decisions... >> mr. president, there's a one in three chance of a second great depression. >> first hand accounts from the people who were there. >> there opinion was shocking. >> the challenges... >> ... that i'm president and i can't make anything happen. >> he stood up, he said "i'm finished". >> the realities. >> i thought it was worth us taking a shot. >> al jazeera america - proud of telling your stories. >> somebody to care about us man... >> we're live in fergus