
Overview
VS founding partner Brian Vicente has been helping marijuana businesses obtain state and local licenses since the inception of the regulated cannabis industry — an industry he has played a significant role in shaping. He has also advised national, state, and local government officials in the development of regulated cannabis markets across the country and around the world, including in Uruguay, the first country in the world to legalize and regulate marijuana for adult use. In late 2018, newly elected Colorado Gov. Jared Polis selected Brian to serve as a member of his gubernatorial transition team, where he sat on the Economic Development and Labor Committee.
Brian was a lead drafter of Colorado's historic legalization initiative, Amendment 64, and he co-directed the successful campaign in support of it. He also served as chair of the Committee for Responsible Regulation, which coordinated the successful campaign to implement statewide excise and sales taxes on adult-use marijuana in Colorado. Previously, Brian served as executive director of Sensible Colorado, a leading nonprofit organization advocating for medical marijuana patients and providers in Colorado. During this time, he played an integral role in litigation that opened the door for medical cannabis dispensaries to open in the state, as well as the legislative process that resulted in Colorado becoming the first state to establish a regulated system of medical cannabis production and distribution.
Brian was named a "Cannabis Law Trailblazer" by the National Law Journal in 2018, and he was included in 5280 magazine's list of "Denver's Top Lawyers" every year from 2015-2019. He has conducted more than 1,000 interviews regarding marijuana policy for national, state, and local media outlets, and he was recognized by The Guardian as "the (cannabis) industry's de facto spokesman."
In 2010, Brian was elected as the first board chair of the National Cannabis Industry Association, which now represents nearly 2,000 member-businesses and tens-of-thousands of cannabis professionals. He is currently a member of the DanceSafe Advisory Council, and he previously served on the boards of Sensible Colorado, the Harm Reduction Action Center, and the SAFER Voter Education Fund.
Brian received a full merit scholarship to attend the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, during which time he clerked for outspoken social critic, Senior U.S. District Judge John L. Kane.
Experience
Leadership & Community Involvement
- Member, Economic Development and Labor Committee, Governor Jared Polis Transition Team, 2019
- Member, Denver City Community Equity Committee, 2019
- Member, Advisory Council, DanceSafe
- Board Member, Harm Reduction Action Coalition
- Executive Director and Board Member, Sensible Colorado
- Board Member, SAFER Voter Education Fund
- Co-Director, Colorado Amendment 64 Initiative, 2012
- Board Chair, National Cannabis Industry Association, 2010-2011
- Member, Colorado Department of Revenue Medical Marijuana Workgroup, 2010
- Coordinator, Drug Policy Project, Colorado Bar Association
- Chair, Denver Marijuana Policy Review Panel, 2005
Recognition
- 5280 magazine, "Denver's Top Lawyers," 2015-2019
- National Law Journal, "Cannabis Law Trailblazer," 2018
- Denver Business Journal, "40 Under 40," 2018
- Green Entrepreneur, "100 Cannabis Leaders," 2018
- Cannabis Business Awards, "MVP Award," 2018, 2012
- Law Week Colorado, "Barrister's Best," 2017
- Cannabis Business Awards, "Political Industry Representative of the Year," 2017
- Cannabis Business Awards, "Cannabis Business of the Year," 2014-2015
- 5280 Magazine, "Most Powerful People in Denver," 2014
- Cannabis Business Executive, "100 Most Influential People in the Cannabis Industry," 2014
- Drug Policy Alliance, "Justice Gerald Le Dain Award for Achievement in the Field of Law," 2013
- Boulder Weekly, "Person of the Year Runner-up," 2012
- Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, "Gideon Award," 2009
- High Times, Freedom Fighter of the Month, 2007
Publications
- Co-author, "Spark the Discussion: Medical Marijuana and Contracts," Colorado Bar Association CLE Legal Connection, August 27, 2012
- Co-author, "Spark the Discussion: No Love Supreme - Colorado Courts Continue to Rule Against Medical Marijuana Patients," Colorado Bar Association CLE Legal Connection, July 2, 2012
- Co-author, "Spark the Discussion: Supreme Court Leaves Patients Behind," Colorado Bar Association CLE Legal Connection, June 20, 2012
- Co-author, "Spark the Discussion: Hemp for Victory," Colorado Bar Association CLE Legal Connection, May 16, 2012
- Author, "Spark the Discussion: When Life Gives You Lemons..." Colorado Bar Association CLE Legal Connection, April 16, 2012
- Author, "Spark the Discussion: Amendment 64 and Medical Marijuana," Colorado Bar Association CLE Legal Connection, March 20, 2012
- Author, "Spark the Discussion: Organize! The Rising Role of Unions in Colorado's Medical Marijuana Industry," Colorado Bar Association CLE Legal Connection, February 21, 2012
- Co-author, "Brian Vicente and Josh Kappel: The Future of Medical Marijuana is Legalization," Marijuana Business Daily, December 12, 2011
- Author, "Don't Punish the Medical Marijuana Patients," U.S. News & World Report, October 26, 2011
Events
- Presenter, Cannabis Conference 2019, "Tips for Creating a Winning License Application,” Las Vegas, April 01, 2019
- Presenter, MoCann BizCon & Expo, "How to Succeed in Competitive Marijuana Business Licensing,” St. Louis, March 11, 2019
- Presenter, Student National Cannabis Organization, "What is Cannabis Law?,” Denver, October 30, 2018
- Speaker, Colorado Municipal League Annual Conference, "Amendment 64 Turns Five: What Will the Next Five Years Bring?,” Vail, June 22, 2018
- Speaker, IROC Denver, "Cannabis and the Effect on Housing,” Denver, May 23, 2018
- Speaker, International Cannabis Bar Association, "Intro to MJ Business Law: Tips, Tricks, and Potholes,” Denver, July 28, 2017
- Presenter, NORML Key West Legal Seminar, "Marijuana Business Law 101,” Key West, December 08, 2016
- Speaker, International Association of Political Consultants, "The Politics of Marijuana,” , November 10, 2016
- Speaker, National Cannabis Industry Association, "Colorado and Washington: Successes and Challenges from the Frontier of Post-Prohibition America,” Oakland, January 15, 2016
- Speaker, Vail Symposium, "Colorado Marijuana Law Anniversary,” Vail, January 22, 2015
- Speaker, Cannabis Capital Summit, "Investing in the Marijuana Industry,” Denver, May 29, 2014
- Speaker, Denver University, "Domestic and International Consequences of the Drug War,” Denver, April 30, 2013
- Speaker, Red Rocks Community College, "Amendment 64: Where To From Here?,” Denver, February 22, 2013
- Speaker, Drug Policy Alliance, "Let's Talk About Marijuana,” Denver, May 22, 2012
- Speaker, Denver University Law Review - Marijuana at the Crossroads, "The State of Medical Marijuana Today,” Denver, February 17, 2012
- Speaker, The Federalist Society, "An Objective Discussion on Medical Marijuana,” Denver, April 05, 2010
- Speaker, Democratic National Convention, ",” Denver, August 08, 2008
- Speaker, NORML National Conference, "The People's Power: Initiatives in 2007/2008,” Universal City, October 12, 2007
In the Media
- Spartan News Room, "Legal marijuana proposal could bring financial benefits to Michigan," October 3, 2018
- Westword, "Medical Marijuana in Colorado Ten Years After the First Big Boom," April 20, 2018
- High Times, "7 Things You Can Do To Help Legalize Marijuana," March 26, 2018
- Cleveland Scene, "Medical Marijuana Aerial View: Q&A with Brian Vicente, Author of Colorado's Statewide Cannabis Policy," April 19, 2017
- Forbes, "$1 Billion In Marijuana Taxes Is Addictive To State Governors," April 11, 2017
- KUSA-TV Denver 9 News, "White House suggests crackdown on marijuana; So what's Next in Colorado?," February 23, 2017
- Post Independent, "Federal marijuana enforcement hazardous to Colorado economy, industry says," January 29, 2017
- Insurance Business Canada , "Where we are with marijuana insurance," January 26, 2017
- Insurance Business Canada , "Weed legal firm goes global," January 17, 2017
- Westword, "As Eight More States Legalize Marijuana, Political Consultants Offer Advice," November 11, 2016