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Acknowledgments

Working on marijuana reform was one of the last things I expected would be part of my career when I began doing political and policy research. I am not an advocate; I am a political scientist. I was not trained in the study of drug policy; I was trained in the study of political institutions, specifically the presidency and the bureaucracy.

However, sometimes very interesting opportunities fall into your lap, and a new venture becomes a career highlight. Marijuana policy is exactly that. I came to this issue in part by happenstance and largely because a colleague of mine, Jonathan Rauch, encouraged me to ask the types of questions my research focuses on (regulation, personnel, bureaucratic organization, and executive-legislative interaction) and apply it to a new and emerging area of policy: the legalization of adult-use marijuana.

That spurred an interest in marijuana policy of all types and led to extensive research, many trips and interviews, as well as a nearly obsessive reading into the plant, its products, the people, and the policy. Along the way, I worked with a tremendous group of individuals who approach this issue from all directions—from the full-throated advocate to the staunchest of opponents and everyone in between. Their support, guidance, knowledge, experience, personal stories, and perspectives have helped inform my understanding of marijuana policy and made Marijuana: A Short History what it is.

Chief among all of the people with whom I have worked is my former colleague and frequent coauthor, Grace Wallack. Grace has an incredible mind for whatever endeavor she undertakes. As in my case, marijuana policy was not a lifelong passion or expected part of her job, but as a team we picked apart some of the most complex issues surrounding marijuana policy and sought to explain them to whomever would listen. It turned out, a lot of people listened. Without her support, intellect, motivation, and ability to keep me on track, the marijuana research emerging from my office would have been a shell of what it is today. She deserves both the highest of praise and my complete gratitude.

Other Brookings colleagues have helped inform my work, my understanding of marijuana policy, and were excellent sounding boards as this book came to fruition. Christine Stenglein, Phil Wallach, Jon Rauch, Makada Henry-Nickie, Aaron Klein, Ashley Gabriele, the Brookings Creative Lab Team (George Burroughs, Sareen Hairabedian, Mark Hoelscher, Zach Kulzer, Ian McAllister), Emily Perkins, Ashley Bennett, Jessica Brandt, Bob Brier, Brittany Brown-Hart, Stephanie Dahle, Courtney Dunakin, Anna Goodbaum, Christine Jacobs, Dylan Jennings, Elaine Kamarck, Ellie Klein, Curtlyn Kramer, Nick McClellan, Cody Poplin, Camilo Ramirez, Liz Sablich, Jessica Harris, Beth Stone, Strobe Talbott, Liz Thom, Darrell West, and Nick Zeppos. Each deserves my thanks.

Outside of Brookings, a number of people—too many to list completely—have been hugely influential and helpful to me. They include Ricardo Baca, Barb Brohl, Jonathan Caulkins, Mike Collins, Beth Collins and Pat Collins and their daughter, Jennifer Collins, Michael Correia, Sean Easter, Brian Faughnan, Steve Fox, Andrew Freedman, Alison Holcomb, Jeff Kahn, Ron Kammerzell, Beau Kilmer, Mark Kleiman, Blake Komar, Lewis Koski, Miles Light, Stephanie Phillips, Dan Riffle, Scot Rutledge, Kevin Sabet, Steph Sherer, Sue Sisley, Sarah Trumble, John Walsh, and Jeff Zinsmeister.

In addition, I would like to thank my colleagues Bill Brown, Rob Lang, and the entire Brookings Mountain West and UNLV community, especially the dozens of students I have taught and worked with around this issue. I would also extend a thanks to Brian Greenspun, John Ritter, and the many owners and operators in the cannabis industry in southern Nevada who have helped me. In addition, a special thanks goes to Congressman Earl Blumenauer, and my favorite Nevada electeds, Patricia Farley and Tick Segerblom.

Finally, to all the elected officials, law enforcement, doctors, scientists, activists (on both sides), academics, growers, dispensary owners, marijuana industry employees, and regulators, a huge thank you for opening your doors and letting me in to see exactly what the cannabis world looks like from your point of view. The many people involved in this policy space whom I have visited in Alaska, California, Canada, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, Ohio, Uruguay, Virginia, and Washington—thank you for your generous offer of time and insight.

A huge thank you goes to the Brookings Institution Press, especially Bill Finan, Elliott Beard, Cecilia González, Valentina Kalk, Janet Walker, and Carrie Engel.

Finally, a special note of gratitude goes to my wife, Emily Parsons. Em is a woman with unending patience, listening to me drone on endlessly about pot for months and now years. Her motivation and encouragement through this project—like all projects—have ensured that I am nearly as proud of this book as I am of her each day. She deserves both my love and gratitude.