PULLMAN, Wash. – The challenge of balancing democracy and good public policy in the new recreational marijuana industry will be discussed by Chris Marr of the Washington State Liquor Control Board at noon Thursday, Feb. 27, in 308 Bryan Hall.
It is part of the Foley Institute’s coffee and politics series. Pizza and pop will be served; please RSVP to Richard Elgar, relgar@wsu.edu.
More than a year ago, the voters of Washington and Colorado legalized the recreational use of cannabis. Marr, a former state senator and one of Washington’s top marijuana regulators, will address what the new recreational marijuana system will look like and how it will be taxed and regulated. He will discuss the challenges of dealing with federal pre-emption, local government bans, banking regulations, a robust illicit market and a largely unregulated medical marijuana industry.
Marr became the first Democrat elected to the state legislature from Spokane’s sixth district after a 30-year career in business. In the state Senate, he served as majority whip and vice-chair of transportation. In 2011, he was appointed to the liquor control board by Gov. Christine Gregoire. His public policy background includes leadership in healthcare, energy, transportation and economic development.