W. Clay Abbott
Councilman Adam Bazaldua
Andrea Baillo, PhD
W. Clay Abbott has serve over 20 years as the DWI Resource Prosecutor for TDCAA, he has trained thousands of prosecutors and police in over 40 states.
Andrea Baillo, PhD
Councilman Adam Bazaldua
Andrea Baillo, PhD
Andrea Baillo, PhD is a former cannabis CSO and founder of Rooted for Success, bringing deep expertise in cannabinoid safety, risk management, and evidence-driven product development.
Councilman Adam Bazaldua
Councilman Adam Bazaldua
Councilman Adam Bazaldua
In 2019, Adam Bazaldua
was elected to represent District 7 on the Dallas City Council, becoming the youngest person elected to the Council under the current form of government. Since then, he has been a driving force for equitable, people-centered policies
across the city.
Chase Bearden
Councilman Adam Bazaldua
Councilman Adam Bazaldua
Chase Bearden serves as the Executive Director of the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities. Founded in 1978, CTD has grown to become the oldest and largest cross-disability organization in 993.
Eric Berlin
Kirsten Budwine
Kirsten Budwine
Eric Berlin leads the US and global Cannabis teams at Dentons, the world’s largest law firm.
Kirsten Budwine
Kirsten Budwine
Kirsten Budwine
Kirsten is an attorney with the Texas Civil Rights Project, where she enthusiastically works on issues that directly impact those who have been affected by systems of incarceration and policing.
Corey Coleman
Kirsten Budwine
Corey Coleman
Corey is the founder of Sky High Cannabis Co, a longtime advocate for hemp and cannabis. With decades of experience in cannabinoid science, he develops award-winning wellness beverages.
Liz Cross
Kirsten Budwine
Corey Coleman
Liz Cross is a pediatric nurse practitioner and medical cannabis advocate who founded a Texas pediatric CBD resource clinic, helping families navigate safe and appropriate compassionate use care for their children.
State Representative Drew Darby (R)
State Representative Drew Darby (R)
State Representative Drew Darby (R)
Drew Darby represents ten West Texas counties and chairs the House Energy Resources Committee. He also serves on Administration and State Affairs and is a leader on major energy
policy issues.
Heather Fazio
State Representative Drew Darby (R)
State Representative Drew Darby (R)
A leading voice in Texas cannabis policy, Heather Fazio bridges lawmakers, advocates, and industry to promote responsible regulation, patient access, and personal freedom.
Mitch Fuller
State Representative Drew Darby (R)
Mitch Fuller
U.S. Army Iraq War Veteran. Awards include the Bronze Star and Combat Action Badge. Former Cedar Park Mayor Pro Tem and City Councilmember (2007-14).
Liz Grow
State Representative Drew Darby (R)
Mitch Fuller
CEO of Lucy’s Rock + Grow House Media. Cannabis brand builder, Texas advocate, and media voice for culture, change, and getting loud in uncertain times.
Rep. Josey Garcia (D)
Rep. Josey Garcia (D)
Rep. Josey Garcia (D)
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In her second term in office, State Representative Josey Garcia serves West San Antonio’s House District 124 as the first woman active-duty veteran in the history of the State House.
John Harloe, JD, PhD
Rep. Josey Garcia (D)
Rep. Josey Garcia (D)
John Harloe is General Counsel for Global Cannabis at Village Farms International. Dr. Harloe also has a PhD in Pharmacology, where he studied cannabis and the endocannabinoid system.
Karen Brooks Harper
Rep. Josey Garcia (D)
Karen Brooks Harper
Karen Brooks Harper is a Mizzou Tiger who has covered Texas politics in Austin for nearly 30 years. She's also covered the cartel wars along the TX-MX border, 3 presidential races, and 6 hurricanes.
Chris Harris
Rep. Josey Garcia (D)
Karen Brooks Harper
Chris was born in Sulphur Springs, Texas and raised in the Metroplex. He's contributed to numerous winning campaigns limiting the criminalization and punishment of people based on race and class.
Katharine Harris, PhD
Courtney Holmes, RN, IFNCP
Katharine Harris, PhD
Katharine Harris, Ph.D., is the Alfred C. Glassell, III, Fellow in Drug Policy at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy. She analyzes the impacts of local, state, and national drug laws.
Susan Hays, Esq.
Courtney Holmes, RN, IFNCP
Katharine Harris, PhD
Susan Hays is an attorney and advocate with more than 30 years’ experience. For the last 10 years, she has focused her practice on cannabis law, whether compliance, rulemaking, or lobbying.
Shawn Hauser
Courtney Holmes, RN, IFNCP
Courtney Holmes, RN, IFNCP
Shawn Hauser is a partner
at Vicente LLP, advising cannabis and hemp businesses on compliance, policy reform, and regulatory strategy at the federal and state levels, including Texas and nationally.
Courtney Holmes, RN, IFNCP
Courtney Holmes, RN, IFNCP
Courtney Holmes, RN, IFNCP
Founder of Eleeo Health & Wellness, Courtney Holmes is a consultant, educator, and advocate for plant medicine and psychedelic therapies, redefining care for complex neurological conditions.
Christopher Hudalla, Ph. D.
Christopher Hudalla, Ph. D.
Christopher Hudalla, Ph. D.
Dr. Hudalla is a PhD. analytical chemist with 35+ years of research experience. He is the Founder & CSO of ProVerde Laboratories, Inc., a premier testing facility for the regulated cannabis industry.
Sen. Nathan Johnson (D)
Christopher Hudalla, Ph. D.
Christopher Hudalla, Ph. D.
Senator Nathan Johnson represents SD 16 in Dallas County. During the 89th legislature, he filed a comprehensive cannabis reform package to create a regulatory framework and decriminalize adult use. .
Jason Kercheval
Christopher Hudalla, Ph. D.
Jason Kercheval
Jason Kercheval is a native Texan, lawyer, and service-connected disabled veteran. He is a Family Law lawyer and has been licensed since 2011.
Tyler Klimas
Christopher Hudalla, Ph. D.
Jason Kercheval
Tyler Klimas is a former chief cannabis regulator who led Nevada into a billion-dollar market, helped found CANNRA, and brings deep experience in public policy, regulation, and federal advocacy.
Harvey Kronberg
Shawna Seldon McGregor
Harvey Kronberg
Covering Texas politics since 1989, Harvey Kronberg is the longest serving member of the Capitol press corps, Kronberg’s name is synonymous with political insight in the Lone Star State. Kronberg’s Quorum Report was also the first publication to go online delivering content to political insiders in real time.
Holt Lackey
Shawna Seldon McGregor
Harvey Kronberg
After a stint in Big Law, Holt spent 6 years in Washington as Counsel to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees. Since 2014 he has practiced litigation in Austin, focusing on employment matters.
Holly McCord
Shawna Seldon McGregor
Shawna Seldon McGregor
Holly McCord, a cannabis advocate, directing operations at Bullfrog Botanicals and communications for the Texas Cannabis Policy Center, championing community, education, and advocacy statewide.
Shawna Seldon McGregor
Shawna Seldon McGregor
Shawna Seldon McGregor
Shawna Seldon McGregor is a veteran communications leader specializing in cannabis and hemp, with nearly 30 years of experience guiding brands in highly regulated industries.
Elizabeth D. Miller
Elizabeth D. Miller
Elizabeth D. Miller
Elizabeth is a former civil trial attorney and cannabis patient who advocates on behalf of Texans' civil liberties, including safe adult access to cannabis products. .
Dan Molina
Elizabeth D. Miller
Elizabeth D. Miller
Dan works primarily as a litigation associate at Vicente LLP; he is also heavily involved in administrative law and advising clients on regulatory changes and how to keep their businesses compliant.
Nick Mortillaro
Elizabeth D. Miller
Nick Mortillaro
Biotech and cannabis consultant with deep expertise in biosynthesis, extraction, and scale-up. Healthy alternative investor & advisor, helping founders on capital, licensing, operations, and expansion
Lisa L. Pittman
Elizabeth D. Miller
Nick Mortillaro
Texas pioneer Lisa Pittman has fought for legalization of marijuana and hemp since 2015. Lisa represents local & national businesses with licensing, contracts, risk, litigation & legislative strategy.
Christopher Poirier
Jacqueline Rice-McKenzie, MD
Jacqueline Rice-McKenzie, MD
Chris Poirier serves as the Deputy Director of Policy & Regulatory Affairs at the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division, assisting in the Division's legislative engagement and rule making efforts.
Jacqueline Rice-McKenzie, MD
Jacqueline Rice-McKenzie, MD
Jacqueline Rice-McKenzie, MD
Dr. Jacqueline Rice-McKenzie, MD is a board-certified emergency medicine physician and founder of Floweret MD, a Texas medical practice guiding patients through the Compassionate Use Program.
Brett Schuman
Jacqueline Rice-McKenzie, MD
Brett Schuman
Brett co-chairs Goodwin’s Cannabis practice, advising US and international businesses in or entering the cannabis industry, with clients ranging from Fortune 50 companies to emerging companies.
Scott Seder
Jacqueline Rice-McKenzie, MD
Brett Schuman
Scott Seder is an attorney, consultant and lobbyist representing clients in heavily regulated industries. He also teaches Cannabis Law and Psychedelics Law at the University of Texas School of Law.
Jeromy Sherman
Jervonne Singletary
Jeromy Sherman
Jeromy Sherman, Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer of Bayou City Hemp Company, Inc., brings over two decades of entrepreneurial expertise. He has been pivotal in establishing the company as Texas's leading hemp processor, manufacturer, and beverage producer, successfully launching brands such as Howdy, Beach Break, Ocho Verde and Wonder Water.
Mike Siegel
Jervonne Singletary
Jeromy Sherman
Council Member Mike Siegel was elected in 2024 to represent Austin’s District 7. He has devoted 25 years to public service, including as a public school teacher, nonprofit leader, and civil rights lawyer. Mike holds a B.A. from Brandeis University and a J.D. from Cornell Law School. He spent 5 years as an Assistant City Attorney for City
Council Member Mike Siegel was elected in 2024 to represent Austin’s District 7. He has devoted 25 years to public service, including as a public school teacher, nonprofit leader, and civil rights lawyer. Mike holds a B.A. from Brandeis University and a J.D. from Cornell Law School. He spent 5 years as an Assistant City Attorney for City of Austin where he co-authored and defended City policies, including the paid sick leave ordinance for City employees. As political director for Ground Game Texas, Mike helped pass local marijuana decriminalization ordinances in cities across Texas.
Since taking office in January of 2025, Council Member Siegel has led on a number of initiatives aimed to protect civil rights and serve working people, such as legislation to create a consultation agreement with the City workers’ union; mitigate the effects of the state's “bathroom bill;” and terminate a surveillance contract with a company that collaborated with ICE and violated residents’ privacy rights.
Stephen Simpson
Jervonne Singletary
Jervonne Singletary
Stephen Simpson is the mental health reporter, based in Austin, where he covers behavioral health, substance abuse and the state mental health system, among other topics.
Jervonne Singletary
Jervonne Singletary
Jervonne Singletary
Jervonne Singletary is VP of Compliance & Government Relations at Parallel, a Brooklyn-born policy leader advancing equitable cannabis reform through compliance, coalitions, and advocacy.
Chelsie Spencer
Andrea Steel, Esq.
Andrea Steel, Esq.
Chelsie represents clients in the cannabis, hemp, kratom, kava, and psychedelic industries.
Andrea Steel, Esq.
Andrea Steel, Esq.
Andrea Steel, Esq.
Andrea Steel leads the Cannabis group at The Banks Law Firm, advising businesses on law and strategy. A hemp pioneer, she’s driven key outcomes shaping the industry at both state and federal levels.
Sarah Stogner
Andrea Steel, Esq.
Peter Stout, PhD
Elected district attorney East and West of the Pecos fighting for justice.
Peter Stout, PhD
Andrea Steel, Esq.
Peter Stout, PhD
Dr. Stout has served for 10 years as President and CEO of the Houston Forensic Science Center, where he has made significant contributions to the City of Houston and the criminal justice system.
Brandi Townsend
Brandi Townsend
Brandi Townsend
Brandi Townsend, Founder/CEO of Cozy Cannabis, creates luxury cannabis retail and elevated spaces for wellness, connection, and mainstream access.
Martha Velez
Brandi Townsend
Brandi Townsend
Martha Velez is a former Texas public school educator and administrator with 16 years’ experience, now a Dallas-based education research coordinator and co-owner of Oak Cliff Cultivators.
Eddie Velez
Brandi Townsend
Bill Wallace
Eddie Velez is a TX hemp entrepreneur, policy advocate, and community leader. He founded Oak Cliff Cultivators and created Ease Up beverages, with experience in cultivation, manufacturing and retail.
Bill Wallace
Brandi Townsend
Bill Wallace
Bill Wallace is the Founder of Tomorrow’s Promise Foundation. He’s been honored as Hometown Hero by MLS and recognized by Travis County Commissioner’s, City of Austin, NAACP, Urban League and more.
Nishi Whiteley
Nishi Whiteley
Nishi Whiteley
Nishi Whiteley serves as the Chief Operating Officer of CReDO Science, a company dedicated to advancing clinical cannabis research, consulting, formulation, education, and innovation
Isaac Yu
Nishi Whiteley
Nishi Whiteley
Isaac is an Austin-based reporter covering politics for the Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express-News, and Austin American-Statesman, focusing on K-12 education, veterans, and other policy areas.