Overview

Andrew Livingston is based in Vicente LLP's Denver office, where he serves a unique role as an economist, business analyst, and general cannabis policy wonk. As the firm's director of economics and research, he assists clients with developing and expanding their enterprises across cannabis markets nationally and internationally. A wide variety of marijuana and hemp businesses look to Andrew for help navigating the regulatory intricacies that influence market dynamics, as well as to create sophisticated revenue models and pro forma for investors and to guide strategic decision-making.

Andrew has spent his entire career studying cannabis markets, first working alongside the Vicente LLP team in 2012 on the historic campaign to pass Amendment 64, which legalized marijuana for adults in Colorado. Following implementation, he served as an inaugural member and policy committee chair of the Denver Cannabis Sustainability Working Group, where he helped coordinate government and business efforts to increase environmental stewardship within the cannabis industry.

Andrew is a co-host of the popular cannabis policy podcast Weed Wonks, as well as a regular guest on Marijuana Today, the cannabis industry’s top business and politics podcast. He appears frequently in the news discussing cannabis policy and economics, and he is often asked to speak at business and legal seminars around the country and internationally on the intersection of market dynamics and cannabis policy. He is also a partner at Vicente LLP's policy and public affairs consulting affiliate, VS Strategies.

Before starting his career in cannabis policy and market 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.

Publications

Insights

• Co-author, "Mississippi Medical Cannabis Market Update," September 20, 2023

• Co-author, "Medical Cannabis in Texas: Policy Recommendations for Improving the Compassionate Use Program," December 18, 2020

• Co-author, "The Economic Benefits of Regulating and Taxing Cannabis in Texas," October 21, 2020 

• Co-author, "Coronavirus and Cannabis: Colorado Regulatory Updates," May 1, 2020

Audio/Video

• Contributor, "Studying Legal Cannabis," MJTodayMedia, August 10, 2021

• Contributor, "Future of Cannabis Market Research and Analysis with Andrew Livingston of Vicente Sederberg," Pro Cannabis Media, August 6, 2021

• Contributor, "Hemp Law Explained with Vicente Sederberg LLP," The Real Dirt with Chip Baker, April 23, 2019

• Contributor, "Thinking Outside The Bud - Episode 112," Thinking Outside The Bud Podcast, April 15, 2019

External Publications

• Co-author, "Vermont Adult-use Demand, Sales, and Tax Revenue Analysis," August 5, 2020

Events

• Speaker, The Emerald Conference, "How the Differences between Cannabis and Psychedelic Markets Influence Scientific and Policy Research,” San Diego, April 02, 2024
• Speaker, Vicente LLP, "[Webinar] Cannabis IP Strategies: A Forward-Looking Discussion with Patent & Trademark Specialists,” Online, March 28, 2024
• Speaker, MJBizCon, "Preparing for Turbulence: Use Data to Evaluate Supply and Demand and Protect Your Business’ Future,” Las Vegas, November 28, 2023
• Speaker, Vicente LLP, "Update on Cannabis and Hemp,” Online, November 02, 2023
• Speaker, Vicente LLP, "Identifying International Cannabis Opportunities in Europe Oct 26, 2023,” Online, October 26, 2023
• Speaker, Vicente LLP, "Michigan Cannabis Market Trends & Economic Forecast,” Online, October 11, 2023
• Speaker, Vicente LLP, "Massachusetts Cannabis Market Trends & Economic Forecast,” Online, May 24, 2023
• Speaker, Rootwurks, "Can 10 More States Legalize Cannabis in the Next 3 Years,” Online, May 17, 2023
• Speaker, [Webinar] Restructuring Options in Cannabis: Out-of-Court Workouts, "Vicente LLP,” Online, March 15, 2023
• Speaker, Rootwurks, "Webinar: Is the Deep South Next for Cannabis Legalization?,” Online, November 22, 2022
• Speaker, Vicente Sederberg LLP, "[Webinar] Cannabis & Psychedelics On the Ballot,” Online, November 01, 2022
• Speaker, Vicente Sederberg LLP, "[Webinar] New York Cannabis: By the Numbers,” Online, October 19, 2022
• Speaker, Texas Realtors Public Policy Forum, "Cannabis Policy in Texas and Nationally,” Austin, February 11, 2022
• Moderator, Vicente Sederberg LLP, "Tri-State Cannabis Update,” Webinar, June 29, 2021
• Speaker, The Cost of Cannabis Prohibition & Economic Benefits of Legalization, "Economics of Legalization Nationally and in Delaware,” Webinar, March 18, 2021
• Speaker, Informed Texas, "Economics of Regulated Cannabis Market,” Webinar, March 06, 2021
• Speaker, CanopyBoulder Investor Hub, "Economics of Cannabis in a Recession,” Online, April 08, 2020
• Speaker, Coronavirus and Cannabis Webinar, "COVID-19 Changes and Challenges for Employers with Littler Mendelson,” Webinar, April 01, 2020
• Keynote, Worcester Business Journal Cannabis Forum, "Cannabis Forum Keynote Speaker,” Worcester, Massachusetts, January 15, 2020
• Presenter, Elevate Legal Shield, "Cannabis Policy CLE,” Denver, Colorado, June 21, 2019
• Speaker, 2019 Cannabis and Psychedelic Symposium , "Cannabis Policy Panel,” Boulder, Colorado, April 17, 2019
• Presenter, NECANN Boston, "Identifying Local Opportunities and Projecting Revenue for your Cannabis Business,” Boston, Massachusetts, March 22, 2019
• Moderator, NCIA Seed to Sale , "Lab Testing in Different States,” Boston, Massachusetts, October 26, 2018
• Speaker, Cannabis Legal Group & Vicente Sederberg, "Estimating the size of Michigan's cannabis market and planning for business growth,” Detroit, Michigan, October 11, 2018
• Presenter, Colgate Alumni Association of Colorado, "The Future of Cannabis: Social, Political, and Economic Implications,” Denver, Colorado, July 27, 2018
• Keynote, NCIA National Conference, "NCIA’s Policy Council Presents: Testing Policy Recommendations and Other Developments from the Industry’s “Think Tank",” San Jose, California, July 27, 2018
• Speaker, Cannabis Legal Group & Vicente Sederberg, "Strategies for a Successful Cannabusiness & Winning Facilities License Applications,” Detroit, Michigan, December 08, 2017
• Moderator, Cannabis Sustainability Sympsoium , "Cannabis Packaging and Sustainability,” Denver, Colorado, October 17, 2017
• Speaker, Denver Startup Week, "Cannabis Industry State of The Union,” Denver, Colorado, September 27, 2017
• Presenter, National Cannabis Industry Association, "The Collaborative Path to Packaging and Labeling Standards,” Oakland, California, June 14, 2017
• Presenter, National Cannabis Industry Association, "For Here or To Go? Evolving Regulations on Social Consumption of Cannabis,” Oakland, California, June 13, 2017
• Moderator, Cannabis Sustainability Symposium, "Cannabis Solid Waste and Packaging,” Denver, Colorado, October 26, 2016
• Moderator, NCIA Cannabis Business Summit , "The Potential of Seed to Sale Data: Practical Examples to Better your Business and Advance the Industry,” Oakland, California, June 21, 2016
• Speaker, Students for Sensible Drug Policy, "From Colorado to the United Nations: Trends in Cannabis Policy Reform,” Boulder, Colorado, April 20, 2016
• Presenter, Colorado Bar Association, "Environmental Law & Cannabis Policy,” Denver, Colorado, April 19, 2016
• Speaker, International Students for Sensible Drug Policy Conference, "Campaigns and Ballot Initiative Basics: How to Get Involved and Hone YOUR Skills,” Washington, D.C., April 16, 2016
• Speaker, Students for Sensible Drug Policy, "Cannabis Law 101: What Every Colorado Lawyer Should Know,” Denver, Colorado, March 25, 2016
• Speaker, Annual Meeting of the American Anthropological Association, "Cannabis Cultures,” Denver, Colorado, November 18, 2015
• Speaker, Lift Cannabis Forum, "Cannabis in Canada,” Vancouver, November 12, 2015
• Speaker, Liberty on the Rocks Flatirons, "National Cannabis Market Analysis,” Lafayette, Colorado, October 26, 2015
• Moderator, National Cannabis Industry Association Business Summit, "Cannabis Policy in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island ,” New York City, September 21, 2015
• Moderator, National Cannabis Industry Association Business Summit, "Cannabis Policy in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont,” New York City, September 21, 2015
• Speaker, Psychedelics Symposium, "Conceptual Models of Regulations for Different Psychedelic Substances,” Boulder, Colorado, September 14, 2015
• Speaker, National Cannabis Industry Association Business Summit, "Cannabis Market Analysis & Predictions for the Future ,” Denver, Colorado, June 30, 2015
• Speaker, Liberty on the Rocks, "The Economics of Prohibition from Black Market to Legalization,” Denver, Colorado, May 06, 2015
• Speaker, SSDP Cannabis Symposium, "Cannabis Policy Analysis & Jobs in the Industry,” Boulder, Colorado, April 15, 2015
• Speaker, Students for Liberty Colorado Regional Conference, "Liberty within the Cannabis Industry,” Denver, November 08, 2014
• Speaker, Students for Sensible Drug Policy International Conference, "Building a Legally Sustainable Cannabis Market,” Washington, D.C., September 27, 2014
• Speaker, Students for Sensible Drug Policy International Conference, "Alumni in the Cannabis Industry II: Building an industry career out of your reform work,” Washington, D.C., September 27, 2014
• Speaker, Students for Sensible Drug Policy Midwest Conference, "Opportunities in Drug Policy,” Illinois, April 12, 2012