Jeff Raber, CEO, The Werc Shop, a cannabis analysis laboratory that works with dispensaries and growers to test cannabis for everything from THC and CBD levels to pesticides and mold, talks about his role educating policy makers who draft cannabis laws across the country and state regulators who implement those laws.
[aesop_video width=”70%” align=”center” src=”youtube” id=”6ojliI973kE” caption=”Jeff Raber on educating policy makers.” loop=”on” autoplay=”on” controls=”on” viewstart=”on” viewend=”on”]
Laws cannot be changed easily, and should be written by legislators to provide a broad based framework rather than attempt to get into the details. Details should be left to regulations, which can be changed more easily if regulators get them wrong the first time. Regulations are more fluid and dynamic and are used to tighten up laws.
When legislators attempt to fit everything into the law and then lawmakers and people affected by the law generally agree that one (or many) of the details of the law should be changed based on experience, it takes a long time to be corrected. In California, AB 266 took how long to get through the legislative body?!
Education is critical for both lawmakers and regulators. There’s consensus by those affected by laws and regulations that those departments now tasked with regulating the industry within each state are woefully undereducated about cannabis. It would be like if a basketball referee had to step in to referee a cricket match.