While I look forward to what 2019 will bring, I think it is important to look back at 2018. At the beginning of 2018, I had only been gone from the Department of Revenue for a few months, so I was still figuring out what I was going to do.
So, as I’ve done throughout my life, I set some high-level goals: 1) to remain involved in cannabis policy; 2) to continue public speaking about cannabis regulation; 3) to ready myself for corporate board work; and 4) to remain involved in the community.
Take a look below to see how things worked out for me. I’m glad to say I made great progress on those goals and am now looking forward to what the universe has in store for me in 2019!
Remain Involved in Cannabis Policy
Late last year, the Dutch government approved the idea of experimenting with regulated local production of cannabis to supply the Coffee Shops in the Netherlands. Despite its reputation, while it is legal to buy cannabis, it is not legal to grow it.
In May, I had the honor of traveling to the Netherlands to discuss how regulation could address the goals and requirements identified by the Dutch government and the Coffee Shop owners. Having toured Coffee Shops and talked to Coffee Shop owners on a previous visit, I understood their concerns. As a result, I was invited to keynote the Transparent Chain Conference in Utrecht, Netherlands, a beautiful canal-filled city just outside of Amsterdam. The Colorado Model continues to remain of interest around the world. After the conference, I had the opportunity to talk to Andre Knottnerus, chair of the Advisory Committee to the Dutch government and provide additional information for his use in the official report. Being credited as one of the expert advisors to the report was an incredible honor.
Following up on the release of the report, the Dutch TV program Nieuwsuur, similar to 60 Minutes reached out to get my views on the report.
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During the summer, Khalid Tinasti, PhD, Executive Secretary of the Global Commission on Drug Policy reached out and asked if I would be willing to be part of the review process of the first draft of the Global Commission’s 2018 Report on Drug Regulation. The Commission is comprised of members from around the world. These international leaders include twelve former heads of State or Government, a former Secretary General of the United Nations, and other well-known leaders who feel it is important to advocate for drug policies based on scientific evidence, human rights, public health and safety, for all segments of the population.
Reviewing the report required general comments on the analysis, thoughts on language and framing, and ensuring that the content and references were factual and accurate. Because this report would be distributed internationally and address how regulation can get drugs under control and reduce harm, I took this responsibility very seriously. I was honored and proud to be part of the Expert Review Panel, and was quoted in the report:
“Harm reduction constitutes more than decriminalization.
To truly address and reduce harm, cannabis should be tested, traced, and taxed.
Tested for potency, mold, microbial, residual solvents, pesticides and other contaminants so that cannabis consumption is safe.
Traced so that if cannabis is contaminated, it can be easily identified and recalled.
Taxed to raise the money needed to address the social costs related to cannabis: youth prevention, substance abuse treatment and prevention, and public education campaigns.”
Barbara Brohl, former Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Revenue
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Later in the year, the FDA asked for public comments about the “abuse potential, actual abuse, medical usefulness, trafficking, and impact of scheduling changes on availability for medical use” of cannabis and several other substances now under international review. It was great to collaborate with Ron Kammerzell to develop and submit comments.
Continue Public Speaking About Cannabis Regulation
I spent more than six years regulating cannabis in Colorado. I had a phenomenal team and together we created and implemented The Colorado Model. Colorado’s regulatory program and the industry it oversees, have done well. One of the major concerns with regulation of cannabis is whether legalization will increase underage use. Spoiler Alert – it hasn’t. According to the 2017 Health Kids Colorado Survey and the 2018 DPS Report on Marijuana Regulation, there haven’t really been many changes as a result of legalization – more importantly –there hasn’t been an increase in youth usage of marijuana, and Colorado is not seeing an impact on high school graduation or drop-out rates.
Nonetheless, because good news can sometimes get buried or ignored, I’ve had several opportunities to speak publicly about Colorado’s results – I taught at several CLE (continuing legal education) classes, and spoke at several conferences that I believed would benefit from my experience:
- the IMN Institutional Capital & Cannabis Conference and Stifel Investment Services Cross Sector Insight focused on the financial aspects and issues surrounding this industry;
- the Indy Chamber of Commerce focused on business implications;
- the State Legal Resources organization, which has law firms from all 50 states and addressed law firm opportunities;
- the NJ Media Inaugural Cannabis Summit brought together businesses, regulators, investors from the tri-state area; and
- the Denver Marijuana and Management Symposium where regulators and businesses came together again.
Ready Myself for Corporate Board Work
A major goal of mine has been to serve on a corporate board, so this year I decided it was time to start getting myself ready to do so. I was an elected member of the RTD Board for over six years. It was a great learning experience and as close to a for-profit board as you can get – budget approval, GM search, product & service delivery, union employees, and a pension trust! While at the Department of Revenue, I resigned from all the boards I was on because as the State Licensing Authority, I regulated every business in Colorado and some out of state.
So, upon leaving the Department, I began getting involved in board work again. First, I joined the Latinas First Foundation board, which recognizes Latina Trailblazers and Unsung Heroines, and grants college scholarships to young women to build the pipeline for them to become trailblazers as their careers progress.
In August, I was selected for the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce Corporate Board Bound program. This is a year-long program designed to increase the number of women on corporate boards. Before the year was over, Governor Hickenlooper appointed me to the Metropolitan State University of Denver Board of Trustees. These are all great programs!
Remain Involved in the Community
I have remained involved in the community as much as possible. I truly believe that if we are lucky enough to be successful, we have the responsibility to reach back and help others on their journey. In May I spoke on a Diversity Panel at the Colorado Legal Inclusiveness Diversity Conference, addressing implicit bias and the #me too movement. I was selected for the Colorado Hispanic Bar Association Lifetime Achievement Award and the Colorado Women’s Chamber Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Business Award – both of which I am honored and humbled to receive.