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Andrew Freedman

Executive Director

Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation


Executive Director Andrew Freedman made history in 2014 when then-Governor John Hickenlooper tapped him to become Colorado’s cannabis czar, in charge of implementing the world’s first adult-use cannabis market. Since then, he has advised 17 different governments in establishing their cannabis regulatory frameworks.

In April of 2022, Forbes Magazine named Freedman one of the five most influential voices in cannabis policy on a list also featuring Snoop Dogg, Charles Koch, and several U.S. senators and representatives. Freedman holds a J.D. from Harvard Law School and a B.A. from Tufts University.


Andrew Freedman is also a Senior Vice President at Forbes Tate.

Having come from Freedman & Koski, a consulting firm dedicated to making cannabis legalization successful. Andrew was Colorado’s first cannabis czar under governor Hickenlooper from 2013 to 2017. His firm has since worked directly for dozens of governments including California, Canada, Florida, Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island, and Illinois; and testified to all governments considering legalization. He has been a featured speaker at dozens of conferences including Code Conference, Summit, and Aspen Ideas Fest.

Andrew’s role in developing a successful operating model for cannabis regulation and stakeholder collaboration was identified as one of the reasons for the State of Colorado’s success in implementing adult-use cannabis legalization by the Brookings Institution. Governor Hickenlooper has gone so far as to praise Andrew’s work while on national television, stating, “Andrew Freedman, who came in and helped us once it was passed . . . [has] done a remarkable job of creating a regulatory framework.”

Andrew has received national recognition for his leadership. He was recognized as one of Fast Company’s “100 Most Creative People in Business” in 2016. Men’s Health Magazine named him one of the 30 top health influencers of the last 30 years, labeling him “legal weed’s best friend”. He has been featured on 60 Minutes, NBC Nightly News, The Today Show, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Politico, The Boston Globe, Governing Magazine, and dozens of local stories throughout the nation and internationally.

Prior to becoming Colorado’s cannabis czar, Andrew Colorado Lieutenant Governor’s Chief of Staff. In that role he created the office of early childhood, won a $45 million Race to the Top Grant, and aided passage of the READ Act: In its first few years since implementing these reforms, the state saw a 7% decrease in significant reading deficiencies. The Colorado Department of Education credits the READ Act and these other early childhood initiatives for this improvement. Additionally, Andrew oversaw the Colorado Commission on Indian Affairs and the state Americorp system.

Andrew was also the campaign manager for Colorado Commits to Kids, Colorado’s largest effort to date to overhaul its education funding. He negotiated between relevant stakeholders to create an education reform bill that could win approval and backing from the Governor. He raised $11 million in three months to fund the campaign.

In April of 2022, Forbes Magazine named Freedman one of the five most influential voices in cannabis policy on a list also featuring Snoop Dogg, Charles Koch, and several U.S. senators and representatives.

Andrew holds a J.D. from Harvard Law School and a B.A. in philosophy and political science from Tufts University. ?