Former cannabis regulator launches the Cannabis Policy Lab
Policy lab aims to help governments regulate cannabis
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – Former cannabis regulator Christina Dempsey today announced the launch of the Cannabis Policy Lab. The Cannabis Policy Lab publishes educational resources about cannabis legalization and supports governments across the globe as they consider new approaches to cannabis regulation.
The organization aims to help governments and the public understand cannabis policy, without bias or judgement, by publishing fact-based information written by cannabis experts, including a bimonthly newsletter and educational resources.
Dempsey formed the Cannabis Policy Lab after six years as a cannabis regulator for the State of California. During that time, she advised senior administration officials on cannabis policy and served as the state cannabis department’s first Policy & Research Director.
“After cannabis is legalized, government officials are charged with setting up oversight and regulations – but they often have little, if any, knowledge of cannabis,” said Cannabis Policy Lab founder Christina Dempsey. “It makes an enormous task even harder.”
Though most U.S. states have legalized some form of cannabis use and sale, government officials have limited resources to learn about the cannabis market. The resources that do exist are often biased – either for or against cannabis. As a result, government officials often rely on the experience and expertise of others who have gone before them.
“If we want to successfully evolve past the War on Drugs, we must develop education and training to help public officials understand the cannabis market and how consumers interact with these products,” said Dempsey. “Only then can we eliminate institutional biases and regulate based on real – rather than perceived – risks.”
The Cannabis Policy Lab also directly supports national, state and local governments; academic researchers; and non-cannabis businesses through consulting services.
The Cannabis Policy Lab is based in California and provides education and support to people across the world. The organization is non-partisan and does not take funding from the cannabis industry.
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About the Cannabis Policy Lab
The Cannabis Policy Lab publishes fact-based information about cannabis legalization and regulation and consults with national, state and local governments across the globe on the development of cannabis policies.
The organization’s goal is to make cannabis policy understandable and help governments thoughtfully regulate cannabis – without fear or bias.
Learn more: www.cannabispolicylab.com
