Meet the LCB's new marijuana consultant

Mark Kleiman and BOTEC recently were chosen by the Washington State Liquor Control Board to provide consulting services for the implementation of I-502. 



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Read more about Dr. Kleiman's thoughts on drug policy at The Reality-Based Community blog. 

House Finance Committee discusses marijuana taxes

The Washington State House Finance Committee held a work session this morning about cannabis taxation followed by a public hearing about HB 1976: funding agricultural production research through the life sciences discovery fund with certain marijuana-related revenues.

WA House Bill 2000 would change new marijuana law

Yesterday, the Washington State House Government Accountability and Oversight Committee held a public hearing about HB 2000 concerning the implementation of I-502. WASAVP President Derek Franklin testified.

WSLCB announces vendor to provide marijuana consultation services

From the Washington State Liquor Control Board:

Liquor Control Board Announces BOTEC Analyses Corporation as Marijuana Consultant

Think tank is apparent successful vendor to provide technical expertise as the Board implements I-502.

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB) today announced that BOTEC Analysis Corporation is the apparent successful vendor to provide technical expertise as the agency implements Initiative 502. Apparent successful bidder is the official term until contract terms are finalized.

BOTEC Analysis Corporation is a Cambridge, MA based think tank specializing in crime and drug policy and will serve as the prime contractor. The company was a clear winner scoring highest in all four categories of consulting services the agency sought in its request for proposals (RFP): product and industry knowledge; product quality standards and testing; product usage and consumption validation; and product regulation.

This team’s lead members and subcontractors are among the world’s leading experts on marijuana and drug policy,” said Board Chair Sharon Foster. “Their credentials speak for themselves.” 

According to their bid, BOTEC has “a wealth of experts in formalized cultivation and testing, quality standards, statistical modeling, policy analyses, dynamics of illicit markets, law enforcement, drug control, drug dependency economics and rule-making. They’ve occupied prestige positions ranging from presidential advisors to a Nobel laureate. 

“I would like to thank the team that produced, scored and communicated this RFP,” said agency administrative director Pat Kohler. “It was a multi-agency effort that was produced and completed much faster than a typical state RFP. It’s the kind of efficient and effective government that Gov. Inslee is expecting of state government.” 

BOTEC Analysis, Inc. Team Leads

Project Leader: Dr Mark Kleiman, CEO BOTEC, Ph.D. Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School

Dr. Kleiman teaches public policy at UCLA. He is an expert in many aspects of criminal and drug policy, including probation and parole, incarceration, and marijuana policy. He is the co-author of the book Marijuana Legalization: What Everybody Needs to Know. 

Project Manager: Steven Davenport, Coordinator BOTEC

Key Sub-Contractors

1. Product and Industry Knowledge: Michael Sautman, former CEO of Bedrocan International.

Leading expert in producing standardized cannabis products on an industrial scale in a regulated environment. Has over 25 years of experience in natural product manufacturing.

2. Product Quality Standards and Testing: David Lampach, President, Steep Hill Lab. 

Lampach is an expert in applying technology and analytical instruments appropriate for analyzing cannabis samples. He is co-founder and president of Steep Hill Lab, the first and largest cannabis testing lab in the United States.

3. Product Usage and Consumption Validation: Dr. Beau Kilmer, Ph.D. in Public Policy, Harvard University

Dr. Kilmer is a Senior Policy Researcher at the RAND Corporation. He is Co-Director of the RAND Drug Policy Research Center and a professor at Pardee RAND Graduate School 

4. Product Regulation: Lowry Heussler, JD, General Counsel BOTEC 

Ms. Heussler is on the Massachusetts Department of Labor and Workforce Development Board of Review and has extensive experience in administrative and agency law. She has co-authored books with Dr. Kleiman concerning drug policy. She was a research assistant on BOTEC’s Analysis of Cocaine and Heroin Market Structure and for Dr. Kleiman’s, Against Excess: Drug Policy for Results.

Why funding for the enforcement of regulations is essential

Former Michigan Liquor Control Commissioner and former Michigan House of Representatives Floor Leader Pat Gagliardi has authored a new report, “The Need for State Alcohol Regulatory Funding: Fighting Deregulation by Defunding,” made possible by a grant from the Center for Alcohol Policy. “The fervor to cut budgets and anti-regulatory sentiment can lead to ill-considered changes in alcohol policy,” the report notes.  “There is a real danger that state alcohol control will be reduced to the point of ineffectiveness by overburdening the regulatory system that, to date, has been successful and has enjoyed overwhelming public support."

The report notes that the number of Washington State Liquor Control Board agents dropped from 86 in 2003 to 55 in 2012.  The Washington State budget allocation for alcohol control decreased from $15.5million in 2007 to $10.9million in 2011.  It goes on to discuss the changes in our state's alcohol control system, including a quote from former WASAVP president Jim Cooper.

"With the passage of Initiative 1183, the Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB) will cease state liquor store and liquor distribution operations . . . The initiative permits retailers to act as their own distributors for wine and spirits and circumvents the three-tier system that has long grown the industry.  In opposing the initiative, Jim Cooper, president of the Washington Association for Substance Abuse and Violence Prevention argued:

'If we're going to destroy our current system, we need to understand what will replace it.  I-1183 raises more questions than answers.  What we do know is this: at least 1,400 stores will be allowed to sell liquor under I-1183, without a penny for more liquor compliance officers.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently recommended against liquor privatization because it caused a sharp increase in alcohol consumption and problem drinking.  Our state stores have one of the best enforcement rates in the country when it comes to checking identification.  According to the Liquor Control Board compliance checks, grocery stores sell to minors who try to buy alcohol one time out of four attempts.  Studies show teens don't drink for the taste, they drink for the buzz.  And if they can get their hands on the hard stuff, they will."

The report goes on to say:

"The alcohol industry is motivated primarily by profit and cannot be left to self-regulate in this field.  The problems with alcohol can only be addressed by restricting the availability, accessibility, and marketing of alcohol through enforcement of regulations that apply to all."

"The need for adequate funding is essential for the regulation of alcohol to work.  A fully funded system will strengthen the regulatory framework that supports alcohol policy compliance and enforcement."

"Adequate funding is also essential to avoid other consequences of deregulation that are often overlooked, including money laundering, smuggling, Internet sales to minors, blind pigs (establishments selling alcohol illegally), gang activity, and underground economies, especially in urban areas with private clubs that go unchecked."  

Watch the Bremerton public forum on I-502

On March 7, the Liquor Control Board hosted their final public hearing about the implementation of I-502 before they start proposing rules.

Watch I-502 public hearings

More videos of Washington State Liquor Control Board public forums about the implementation of I-502 are available for viewing.

Spokane, February 12


Mount Vernon, February 19


Tacoma, February 21


Yakima, February 28

International Board says marijuana legalization runs counter to preventing substance abuse

Earlier this week, the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), an independent body made up of 13 members from different governments and the World Health Organization, released their Annual Report 2012.  In the Forward, the INCB President states:

"We note with concern, however, that in this debate, some declarations and initiatives have included proposals for the legalization and possession of drugs for non-medical and non-scientific use, that is, for "recreational" use, that would allow the cultivation and consumption of cannabis for non-medical purposes.  

Any such initiatives, if implemented, would violate the international drug control conventions and could undermine the noble objectives of the entire drug control system, which are to ensure the availability of drugs for medical purposes while preventing their abuse.  

Proponents of such initiatives ignore the commitment that all Governments have made to promote the health and well-being of their communities, and such initiatives run counter to the growing body of scientific evidence documenting the harm associated with drug abuse, including occasional use, particularly among young people during their formative years.  

Furthermore, such initiatives would create a false sense of security and would send a false message to the public, in particular children, regarding the health impact of abuse of drugs.  

Some have argued that these proposals would eliminate the illicit markets and organized crime associated with drugs of abuse.  Yet, even if such initiatives were implemented, organized criminal groups would get even more deeply involved, for instance by creating a black market for the illicit supply of newly legalized drugs to young people.  

To target the organized crime and violence associated with the illicit trade of drugs, the most effective tools is primary prevention of drug abuse, coupled with treatment and rehabilitation, and complemented by supply reduction measures, as provided for in the conventions."