A former chief pot rules regulator in Colorado now will fight for the future of the state’s cannabis businesses.
The Colorado Cannabis Chamber of Commerce (C4) has announced that Laura Harris, the former state marijuana enforcement chief, will serve as its new executive director.
Harris retired in 2013 from her post as head of the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED), where she helped craft the rules for recreational cannabis use ahead of the first legal sales in January 2014.
“We are thrilled that Laura has agreed to come and lead our organization,” said C4 board President Dan Anglin. “Her expertise and knowledge of the industry as well as our complicated regulatory requirements and challenges made her the perfect candidate for this post.”
The non-profit C4 represents cannabis businesses focused on advancing industry business policies at the state and local levels of government. Harris will take the reins on Jan. 9, just before the start of Colorado’s 2017 legislative session, in which C4 plans on being heavily involved as an industry lobbying force.
C4’s legislative priorities during the four-month session will include “meaningful business initiatives” and “educational programs related to safe consumption and under-21-access prevention.”
Harris is taking over for outgoing executive director Tyler Henson, who has taken a job in Washington DC with the International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers Association.