December 2, 2021 (Washington, DC) – On November 30th, the Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation (CPEAR) announced that Senator Daschle (D-SD) and former Congressman Greg Walden (R-OR) will be serving as the organization’s bipartisan Co-Chairs. The announcement was first reported in Politico’s Morning Cannabis Newsletter in a section titled “Daschle and Walden Take Washington. Additionally, on Wednesday, December 1st, remarks from Senator Daschle were included in The Hill’s CPEAR-sponsored event titled Regulating Cannabis, the first cannabis-focused event The Hill has hosted. The event featured policymakers including Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO) and Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC).
From Senator Tom A. Daschle, Founder & CEO of The Daschle Group:
“I am excited to be joining CPEAR as a Co-Chair along with Former Congressman Greg Walden. I joined CPEAR because of their data-driven approach to cannabis legalization that provides a comprehensive regulatory framework that also recognizes the need to address the disparities caused by the War on Drugs. With 37 states legalizing cannabis at some level, there are hundreds of thousands of jobs and billions of dollars at stake, so Congress needs to get this right the first time and end the patchwork system across the country. I look forward to working with CPEAR and policymakers from both sides of the aisle to: 1) create a cannabis market that supports businesses of all sizes including small businesses and minority-owned businesses 2) help veterans and patients use cannabis to address their physical and mental health needs while reducing opioid use and 3) prioritize public health and safety through the FDA.”
From Andrew Freedman, Executive Director of CPEAR:
“CPEAR is pleased to welcome both Senator Daschle and Representative Walden to the coalition as co-chairs. Both are respected thought leaders who have spent their careers finding solutions that benefit their communities and America. We are excited that they have agreed to add their voices to our cause – an acknowledgment that cannabis legalization is already here, and we should be turning to data, science, research and best practices to ensure it is done right.”
About the Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation
A 501(c)(4) non-profit organization, the Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation (CPEAR) works to advance comprehensive policy solutions for cannabis legalization and regulation. CPEAR strives to be a trusted, science-driven resource for lawmakers and the larger stakeholder community, developing responsible policies that provide access to cannabis while protecting consumers and patients, barring underage use, upholding public health and safety, and promoting social equity. Comprised of a diverse group of stakeholders, CPEAR brings unique perspectives to the table to thoughtfully address what a national, legal cannabis industry should look like.
