He received an A.B. in Molecular Biology from Brown University in 1972 and graduated from the Stanford University School of Medicine in 1977. After completing an Internal Medicine residency at the Kaiser Foundation Hospital in San Francisco, he became a fellow in Hematology/Oncology at the Cancer Research Institute of the University of California, San Francisco in 1980. He was one the original clinician/investigators to recognize and define many early AIDS-related conditions at San Francisco General Hospital where he also served as chief of Hematology-Oncology for 14 years. He has long been interested in clinical trials of complementary and alternative medicine interventions for HIV/AIDS and cancer, including evaluations of medicinal cannabis. In 1997 he received funding from the National Institute on Drug Abuse to conduct a clinical trial on the short-term safety of cannabinoids in HIV infection. Subsequently he was granted funds by the University of California Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research to continue studies of the effectiveness of cannabis in a number of clinical conditions. He completed a placebo-controlled study of smoked cannabis in patients with painful HIV-related peripheral neuropathy as well as a study evaluating vaporization as a smokeless delivery system for medicinal cannabis. He conducted a NIDA-funded trial investigating the pharmacokinetic interaction between vaporized cannabis and opioid analgesics in patients with chronic pain. His last study was an NIH-funded trial evaluating vaporized cannabis in patients with sickle cell disease. He co-authored the chapter on “Cannabinoids and Cancer” in the Oxford University Press Integrative Oncology text that he co-edited with Andrew Weil. He co-edits the NCI PDQ CAM Cannabinoids and Cancer website. He was a member of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine’s committee that published The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids: Current State of Evidence and Recommendations for Research in January 2017.

As a consultant, Carrie focuses on improving pain management and influencing policies to create highly regulated, compliance focused cannabis programs as well as expanding opportunities for cannabis research Prior to opening up her consulting firm, Armour Advocacy, Carrie worked for over a decade for the American Medical Association in its state government affairs division. At the AMA, Carrie developed and managed advocacy campaigns to help shape and inform state laws, regulations and policies in support of patients and physicians focusing on public health improvement and protecting the physician-patient relationship. Carrie began her legal career as a prosecutor at the Cook County State’s Attorney. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Miami University and a Juris Doctorate from Loyola University School of Law. She is on the Board of the Medical Cannabis Research Advocacy Alliance, a Director on the Board of Illinois Women in Cannabis and a member of the International Cannabis Bar Association and the Illinois Cannabis Bar Association.

While still a college student at Lewis and Clark College, he led the campaign in Oregon to lower the voting age. He was a key player just two years later as one of the youngest legislators in Oregon’s history in a landmark session for school funding, ethics reform and Oregon’s groundbreaking land use laws. As a Multnomah County Commissioner and member of the Portland City Council, Earl’s innovative accomplishments in transportation with light rail, bicycles and the street car, planning and environmental programs and public participation helped Portland earn an international reputation as one of America’s most livable cities. Elected to the US House of Representatives in 1996, Earl has been a tireless advocate for the 3rd Congressional District. He’s recognized for his creative, innovative policies and accomplishments, and also his political leadership in Oregon and nationwide. He tackles controversial issues and finds ways to break ideological and partisan gridlock with a unique approach to problem solving that brings people together. He is currently a member of the Ways and Means Committee, Chairman of the subcommittee on Trade, Chairman of the Cannabis Caucus and a member of the subcommittee on Health. These assignments give Earl a unique platform to promote critical issues like Medicare for All and the Green New Deal. Earl has been a champion for rebuilding and renewing our nation’s infrastructure, economic security for families, protection of public lands, stopping gun violence, ending the prohibition of marijuana, and criminal justice reform.

Kevin completed his BS in Biology at the University of Michigan, and received his doctorate from the University of Michigan School of Public Health in Environmental Health Sciences in 2017. His current research interests include cannabinoid analgesia and self-management strategies for chronic pain.

Before joining GW, Mark was a partner at the law firm Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck in Denver. Mark also previously served as Sr. Deputy Legal Counsel and Director of Marijuana Coordination for Governor John Hickenlooper of Colorado. During his time in Governor Hickenlooper’s office, Mark administered cannabis policy issues for the state and oversaw the cannabis-related work of 12 state agencies and hundreds of agency employees, and advised numerous other jurisdictions (national, state and local) regarding legalization and regulation of cannabis.

HVGC believes that exploring the benefits of medical cannabis is the most effective way to combat these issues and bring proper aid to those who gave so much to our great nation. As a Special Operations Team Commander with Marine Raiders, Bryan led multiple teams in deployments to Operation Enduring Freedom-Trans Sahara (Africa), South East Asia, and Operation Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan (Helmand Province). Bryan developed rapport with numerous host nation forces, enhanced capability and capacity within the host nation units, and briefed US Ambassadors. Bryan led a 20-man Marine Raider Team to Afghanistan that mentored, trained, and conducted over 40 combat operations with an Afghan Special Operations Battalion. Bryan also deployed twice to Operation Iraqi Freedom with Marine Infantry and Marine Reconnaissance. Bryan is an accomplished sales and operations leader with a distinguished background in leadership, policy, training, management, operations and strategic decision making. Adept in negotiation, alliance formation and organizational communication, Bryan has successfully forged productive partnerships among stakeholders to reach high-level decision makers within sophisticated organizations, ensuring free and productive flow of information. Bryan also provides counsel and assistance to governmental agencies and the private sector to adopt best practices in compliance with applicable regulations and statutes. Bryan is a graduate of Villanova University and is the Founder of Battle Brothers Foundation (501c3) Bryan was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with "Combat Distinguishing Device" for Heroic Service and was awarded the Purple Heart Medal for wounds received during combat operations.

Her research involves understanding variables that influence both the therapeutic potential and adverse effects of cannabis and cannabinoids. Dr. Cooper received her PhD from the University of Michigan in Biopsychology in 2007 in the field of preclinical psychopharmacology, experience that informs her focus on translating preclinical studies of cannabinoids to the clinic using placebo-controlled human drug-administration studies. Current projects include understanding the potential for cannabis constituents to reduce reliance on opioids, differences between men and women in their response to the pain-relieving effects of cannabis, and therapeutic effects of cannabinoids in patient populations. Dr. Cooper served on the National Academies of Sciences Committee on the Health Effects of Cannabis that recently published a comprehensive report of the health effects of cannabis and cannabinoids. She is a Board Director for the College on Problems of Drug Dependence, an Associate Editor of The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, and is on several Editorial Boards of journals including Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research and Neuropsychopharmacology.

He currently serves on the clinical faculty at the Yale University School of Medicine and has a unique hybrid of private practice and academics. He is the Medical Director of PACT Gastroenterology Centerin the New Haven CT area, as well as the Director of Endoscopy at Yale New Haven Hospital – Saint Raphael Campus, where he is actively involved in the fellowship training program at Yale. Dr. Hass is passionate about both patient and physician advocacy and has served as President of the New Haven County Medical Association and is currently Vice President of the Connecticut State Medical Society State Council. He is a certified clinical hypnotherapist, a modality implemented to treat functional abdominal pain. His clinical interests include small bowel disease, inflammatory bowel disease and complementary and alternative therapies in the treatment of gastrointestinal and hepatic disease including medical cannabis use.

Mr. Katz is the Principal of MCK Health Strategies, LLC and is a founding board member and CEO of Medical Cannabis Research Advocacy Alliance (MCRAA). Mr., Katz was previously the executive vice president and chief executive officer of the Connecticut State Medical Society (CSMS), the state’s largest physician organization, from early 2006 until the end of 2019. Mr. Katz also sat on the board of the Physicians Advocacy Institute (PAI), a national not-for-profit that works to advance fair and transparent payment policies and contractual practices by payers in order to sustain the profession of medicine for the benefit of patients for the last 13 years. A former director of Private Payer Advocacy and director of the Practice Management Center at the American Medical Association (AMA), Mr. Katz worked in the AMA’s Private Sector Advocacy unit and health policy development division on physician reimbursement along with national and state-based health policy. Mr. Katz also spent some time at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) helping coordinate the coding and reimbursement areas. Prior to his time working for medical associations and physicians, Mr. Katz worked for Medica and Allina Health Systems along with United Healthcare as a Medicare and Medicaid analyst, focusing on physician network development and patient access to care. Mr. Katz holds a bachelor’s of Science degree in History and Sociology from the University of Wisconsin - Madison and earned his Master of Science in Health Services Research and Policy from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health Institute for Health Services Research and Policy.

UPG also acts as a virtual hand for patients and their loved ones struggling with chronic and terminal illnesses by helping them navigate through this ever-changing industry. John conducts interviews regularly, most recently with Harvard, CNN and the Washington Post and was proud to be the face, host and patient advocate for The Sacred Plant Company: Healing Secrets Exposed, a global docuseries in addition to co-leading and co-creating The Sacred Plant: Healing Secrets Explained webinar series. John also authored 4 cannabis books and Masterclasses on (Pain, Cancer, Brain and How to Make Cannabis Work for you) with The Sacred Plant organization. Most recently he was featured in the global docuseries and masterclass entitled, The Answer To Cancer along with hosting the internationally recognized International Integrated Oncology annual conference – Best Answer for Cancer and The Green Plant Summit. To date, John enjoys a healthy lifestyle of mind, body and spirit. John believes in a compassionate approach to Health and Healing and has dedicated his career to alleviating pain and suffering. In October 2017, John was faced with terrible heartache. His best friend, his wife, his business partner, but, most of all, his soulmate, Corinne Malanca, passed away from cancer. She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at the end of June 2017. John continues his work in the medical cannabis arena in honor and loving memory of his beautiful wife, Corinne Malanca.

Previously Dr. Marcu has held several positions in the cannabis space including Founder and Chief Science Officer at International Research Center on Cannabis and Health (IRCCH), Chief Science Officer and Director of the Patient Focused Certification program at Americans for Safe Access, Chair of the D37 cannabis committee at ASTM International, and Co-founder and Chair of the Cannabis Chemistry Subdivision (CANN) at the American Chemical Society (ACS). He also helped develop and implement the first nationally recognized standards for cannabis and hemp products with the American Herbal Products Association and is an author of the American Herbal Pharmacopeia's Cannabis Monograph. Dr. Marcu published the first direct measurements of THC and CBD synergy in brain cancer cells, for which he received the Billy Martin research award from the International Cannabinoid Research Society. His Ph.D. focused on the structure and function of the CB1 receptor as well as investigating the role of the endocannabinoid system in bone at Temple University. He has also developed pharmacogenomics testing technology, used commercially and in research studies to predict drug-drug interactions with cannabis, as well as using the technology to guide dosing and administration forms for patients. Dr. Marcu has helped create medical cannabis educational training for clinicians and for workers in the medical cannabis industry. View his peer reviewed publications on PubMed. Dr. Marcu serves on multiple expert committees for government, trade, and scientific organizations and has been invited to speak at many international conferences and universities, including the University of Leiden, Temple University School of Medicine, Princeton Hospital, Yale University.

Prior to joining Capitol Counsel, Ethan was Deputy Director of Federal Affairs at the Washington D.C. office of Ethan’s Governor John Kitzhaber (D-OR), and before that, Ethan worked for Congressman Kurt Schrader (D-OR). While serving as policy adviser to Congressman Schrader, Ethan helped pass the Small Business Financing and Investment Act of 2009 in the House, a large rewrite of the Small Business Administration’s lending and finance programs. Ethan has worked with a variety of government, natural resources and conservation organizations in passing legislation to protect Oregon grant lands (including old growth trees), while allowing for sustainable timber harvests. Ethan holds a MPP from the London School of Economics, and a BA from Dickinson College.

He earned a B.A in Neuroscience and a Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics before performing a postdoctoral fellowship in Pharmaceutical Sciences. Dr. Tagen has co-authored over 30 scientific publications.

Dr. Tishler graduated from both Harvard College and Harvard Medical School, trained at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and is faculty at both the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. He has spent many years working with the underserved, particularly providing care for Veterans. Having treated countless patients harmed by alcohol and drugs, his observation that he had never seen a cannabis overdose led Dr. Tishler to delve deeply into the science of cannabis safety and treatment. Dr. Tishler is a frequent speaker and author on a variety of topics related to the medical applications of cannabis. He is the President of the Association of Cannabis Specialists which aims to educate clinicians, lawmakers, and the industry about best practices and needed tools for proper patient care.

As CMO, Dr. Ware advises on scientific and ethical aspects of Canopy Growth's global research efforts and is responsible for the Company's product safety program encompassing all R&D and commercial activities. Before joining Canopy Growth, Dr. Ware was a tenured associate professor in the Faculty of Medicine at McGill University. He obtained his medical degree at the University of the West Indies, undertook training in internal medicine, and secured a Master's degree in epidemiology. He began evaluating the role of cannabis in pain management at McGill University in 1999. He served as Director of Clinical Research of the Alan Edwards Pain Management Unit at the McGill University Health Centre for over ten years. He was a co-founder of the non-profit Canadian Consortium for the Investigation of Cannabinoids and served as Executive Director from 2007 to 2018. He has advised the Canadian federal government on cannabis policy since 2001. In 2016, he served as the Federal Task Force's vice-chair on the Legalization and Regulation of Cannabis in Canada. In 2021, Dr. Ware completed the ICD-Rotman Directors Education Program (DEP), given to business leaders committed to the highest standard of directorship, while contributing to best in class governance education, thought leadership, and peer-to-peer networking. He has over 100 publications on cannabis and pain in peer-reviewed journals and has spoken widely and national and international conferences on cannabis in medicine.