Introducing... the Cannabis Policy Lab

I was a cannabis regulator for almost six years.

Working in cannabis regulation is unlike any other government job. Most government agencies have spent decades overseeing whatever it is that they regulate. There’s experience, case law, science and, typically, some federal standards to rely on.

In cannabis, everyone is learning as they go – and the learning curve is steep.

Cannabis public policy intersects agriculture, botany, manufacturing, chemistry, economics, business, population health, legal doctrine, federal-state-local politics, and more. Plus, there’s a history and culture around this plant that is fascinating, at times tragic, but also deserving of respect.

Much of my work over the past six years was developing government policies around cannabis and educating others (peers, leaders, and the public) about those policies.

My favorite part of my job was learning and debating the best path forward. Now that I’ve stepped out of public service, I feel an obligation to pass on what I’ve learned to others.

That’s why I launched the Cannabis Policy Lab.

Our mission is to educate governments and the public about cannabis legalization and regulation. We want to:

• Make it easy to find unbiased information about cannabis

• Highlight what’s working in government policy and what can be improved

• Showcase evidence about legalization’s impacts

• Help governments regulate cannabis in a thoughtful, intentional way (and bias-free) way

We publish fact-based information written by cannabis experts, including a bimonthly newsletter on cannabis policy topics and online educational resources. We also consult with governments across the globe as they set up their cannabis regulatory programs.

Above all, we want to make cannabis policy understandable. We’ll break down complex policy topics, highlight some of the best ideas from across the world and propose new ways of thinking.

This is the resource I wanted when I was a regulator. I hope it helps current and future regulators make good decisions and avoid burnout. I also hope it helps others understand how drug laws are changing and how those changes affect them.