RII’s Executive Director Joins Other Subject Matter Experts in Center of Excellence for Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education & Regulation (CPEAR)
RII Executive Director Derek Smith was recently named to the Center of Excellence for the Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education & Regulation (CPEAR). CPEAR works to advance comprehensive policy solutions for cannabis legalization and regulation. The Coalition strives to be a trusted, science-driven resource for lawmakers and the larger stakeholder community, developing responsible policies that provide access to cannabis while protecting consumers and patients, barring underage use, upholding public health and safety, and promoting social equity.
The Center of Excellence is comprised of subject matter experts and does not serve as endorsements from any organization. In addition to Derek, those experts include: Brandy Axdahl of the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility, Caroline Kitchens of the R Street Institute, John Hudak of the Brookings Institution, Karmen Hanson of the National Conference of State Legislatures, Shanita Penny of Budding Solutions, and Dr. Staci Gruber of McLean Hospital.
“I’m honored to join my esteemed colleagues in the Center of Excellence to advise on the establishment of an effective policy framework as the US cannabis regulation dialogue ramps up. RII has learned a lot from the various energy and environmental policy experiments at the state and local levels, and it’s important to transfer that knowledge to the federal stage” said Derek. “We’ve got one shot to position this industry to achieve significant environmental outcomes while setting the blueprint for global horticultural resilience.”
