Evolution of Marijuana Policy Summit

August 15-16, 2019

 

The National Foundation for Women Legislators hosted a Marijuana Policy Summit to address a critical state policy issue that is unfolding in real time in legislatures across the country. By bringing together a group of 30 elected women who are considering legalization in their state or municipality, or in states where legalization has already been established, we provided an opportunity to connect and learn from one another and experts from all facets of the industry.

Access the Presentations

  • Marijuana Policy Across the States
    To open the program, this session looked at how marijuana policy has changed over the years in the state that legalized it first, how policy differs across the country, and what is coming next. We heard from Representative Lois Landgraf from the Colorado State Legislature, and Senator Donna Kim from the Hawaii State Legislature, about their legislative experiences with marijuana policy. Then, we heard from Kelli Hykes, the Director of Government Relations for Weedmaps Policy. View her presentation HERE.

 

  • Overview of Cannabis and Commercial Cannabis Operations
    This session provided an overview of products and potency, as well as provide a summary of cannabis licensing categories. View the presentation from Dustin McDonald, the Vice President of Government Relations of Weedmaps Policy HERE, and access the presentation from Jean Robinson, the Legislative Liaison of the CO Department of Revenue, HERE.

 

  • Developing a New Industry & Managing Expectations: Tax Structure and Budget Forecasting
    This session discussed how states are taxing legalized recreational marijuana, unique revenue forecasting challenges, revenue trends, and budgeting best practices. View the presentation from Alexandria Zhang, Research Officer for the The Pew Charitable Trusts HERE. Access the report HERE.

 

  • A Careful Look to the Future
    This session looked at the public health implications of marijuana policy legalization, and how to prevent youth usage. View the presentation from Jessica Neuwirth, the Retail Marijuana Education & Youth Prevention Coordinator for the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment HERE.

 

  • The History and Potential of Cannabis Usage
    This session provided a summarized history of human interaction with cannabis, look at the uses in fighting disease and managing symptoms, and what potential there is for the future. View the presentation from Dr. Bonni Goldstein, the Owner & Medical Director at Canna-Centers HERE.

 

  • Cannabis and Human Health – A Focus on CBD
    This session addressed the importance of clinical trials, and how the healthcare industry is working in the marijuana space across the complex policy pictures in the states. View Mark Bolton’s presentation HERE, based on his expertise as Senior Director US Public Policy & Public Affairs, Greenwich Biosciences. View the presentation HERE and bibliography HERE of his co-panelist, Dr. Lynn Parry.

 

  • Workforce Usage
    How has policy changed in a variety of ways – legislatively, controlled status, and understanding of marijuana use disorders- and what are the trends in marijuana positivity from the workforce? This roundtable featured Kim Samano, Ph.D., D-ABFT-FD the Scientific Director, Quest Diagnostics, and highlighted their findings in the white paper, available HERE.

 

  • Industry Concerns
    This roundtable, hosted by Nick Steingart the Manager of State & Local Affairs for the Associated Builders and Contractors’, discussed the impact of medical and recreational marijuana legalization in the construction industry and how lawmakers and regulatory officials can work to maintain the highest levels of public safety in a rapidly evolving legal and regulatory environment around marijuana legalization.

 

  • The Importance of Public Safety
    This session, featuring the former Boulder District Attorney Stan Garnett, looked at how marijuana legalization in Colorado posed significant challenges for law enforcement, what the resulting unanticipated consequences it has had on crime and public safety, and lessons learned.

 

  • Developing Functioning State Policy – Overview of Key Issues
    This session looked at the necessary policy checklist a state needs to ensure a solid foundation for the implementation of marijuana legalization including closing the illegal market, establishing local control, addressing consumer and patient home grow programs, and coordinating departments and agencies. View the presentation from Kelli Hykes, the Director of Government Relations at Weedmaps Policy HERE.

 

  • Questions or comments? Reach out to Brenna Kehew Sculley at brenna@womenlegislators.org