Brian Vicente

Founding Partner

Denver

brian@vicentesederberg.com

303-860-4501

455 Sherman St.
Suite 390
Denver, CO 80203

Corporate & Business
Government & Policy
Licensing

Colorado
Ohio

J.D., University of Denver Sturm College of Law
B.A., Grinnell College

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

Publications

Events

  • Moderator, CannaVest, "Doing Well by Doing Good: Impact Investing & Social Justice ,” Boston, February 20, 2020
  • 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