Economics of a Regulated Cannabis Market

Andrew Livingston

Director of Economics & Research

Vicente Sederberg LLP

Andrew Livingston serves a unique role as an economist, business analyst, and general cannabis policy wonk in Vicente Sederberg’s Denver office. As Director of Economics and Research, he helps clients develop and expand their enterprise across cannabis markets nationally and internationally. Marijuana and hemp-focused businesses depend on Andrew’s services to navigate regulatory intricacies influencing market dynamics and to create sophisticated revenue models and pro forma for investors and strategic decision making.

Andrew has spent his entire career studying cannabis markets and first worked alongside the Vicente Sederberg team in 2012 during Colorado's historical Amendment 64 campaign, which fist legalized marijuana for adults. In addition to appearing as a regular on Marijuana Today, the cannabis industry’s top business and politics podcast, Andrew is often asked to speak at business and legal seminars around the country and internationally on the intersection of market dynamics and cannabis policy.

Before starting his career in cannabis market and policy analysis, Andrew focused his studies at Colgate University on the economics of illicit drug markets and the harms they create for societies around the world. He sits on the Denver Cannabis Sustainability Working Group as the Policy Committee Chair and helps coordinate government and business efforts to increase environmental stewardship within the cannabis industry. Andrew is also a partner at Vicente Sederberg's policy and public affairs consulting affiliate, VS Strategies.

Phil Gero

Former Sergeant

Pflugerville Police Department

Philip Gero is a former Pflugerville Police Officer who served 12 years with the department. Phil served in many compacities during his career with the department including Patrol Sergeant and K9 handler. He made the decision to leave the job after suffering the effects of PTSD and mental health deterioration. At the time of his resignation he served as the Sergeant over persons crimes in Criminal Investigations.

After leaving the police department Phil discovered that the use of cannabis was extremely helpful in treating his PTSD and anxiety. While searching for community around this medicine, Phil found Texas NORML. He currently serves on their board as the Law Enforcement Advisor. As a member and activist Phil strives to bring more transparency to policy around policing and cannabis law. He hopes to inspire others who struggle with the mental health and trauma to share their stories.

Phil currently lives with his wife and three children. He is the owner of a successful small business that serves the local community. Phil is always working to bring positivity to the narrative around cannabis and looks forward to working toward the goal of legalization.

Ret. Lt. Jay Hall

Houston Police Department

As a police officer in the Houston Police Department for 24 years, Jay Hall focused on making arrests. As a juvenile probation officer in Indiana, he focused on prevention, and as an adult parole officer, he focused on rehabilitation. But over time, he realized that as criminal justice approaches, none of these were a long-term solution to drug abuse and problems caused by the illicit drug market.

Ever since his brother tragically died from violence in the illegal drug trade, Hall has believed in making a difference by communicating with young at-risk people. “We can teach them about character and encourage them to do better,” he explains. “But simply arresting and warehousing people has not worked to abate the flow of drugs, and it has caused far worse collateral damage.”

As for a new approach, rehabilitation is key for Hall. “As a spiritual person, I would say that God has a greater calling for your life than being addicted to drugs. From a practical standpoint, people struggling with drug addiction need counseling and treatment.”

Hall earned his bachelor's degree in Sociology and M.A. in Public Administration and Management. He is currently working on a Doctorate degree in Organizational Behavior, Management and Leadership.

Chelsy Aledia

Policy & Advocacy Intern

American Civil Liberties Union of Texas

Chelsy Aledia (she/her) is a queer, pinay, survivor of trauma, currently building on her existing foundation of public health, interpersonal communication, and nonprofit management to create a more just society.

With a passion for human rights advocacy and training through the UH Graduate College of Social Work, Chelsy’s mission remains to combat traumatic gender and race-based violence through a macro social work lens. 

Fmr. Chief Betty Frizzell

Winfield Police Department, Missouri

Betty Frizzell began her law enforcement career in 1997 with an aim to assist victims of sexual assault. She served as a Deputy Sheriff in both the Lincoln and Ripley County Sheriff’s Departments. During her time with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department, she helped develop the first sexual assault response team and was the first female officer to join the S.W.A.T. team.  She later worked as a police officer and gang investigator for the city of Louisiana, Missouri before becoming the Chief of the Winfield Police Department.

Upon retiring from policing, Frizzell began teaching courses on sexual assault investigations as an adjunct professor of criminal justice. She holds an M.F.A in Writing and a M.S. in Criminal Justice Administration. She served as a member of the Citizens Advisory Board for the State of Missouri Department of Corrections: Probation and Parole Division and was honored as the Lincoln County Law Enforcement Officer of the Year in 2001. She is the author of If You Can't Quit Cryin', You Can't Come Here No More: A Family's Legacy of Poverty, Crime and Mental Illness in Rural America. Frizzell currently resides in Seattle, Washington, but remains closely connected to Missouri.

Jax James

Executive Director

Informed Texas

Jax Finkel is Executive Director for Foundation for an Informed Texas. After a decade of involvement in marijuana law reform, she founded this 501c3 nonprofit which focuses on rural education. In her tenure, Jax has given hundreds of interviews and participated in many panel discussions and speaking engagements. Foundation for an Informed Texas produced the first medical cannabis ad, which played in rural areas on Fox News and MSNBC. She created curriculum, helped organize and execute regional workshops from 2015 to present. She believes in freely sharing information and facilitating organizational growth.