Marijuana. John Hudak

      Acknowledgments

      Working on marijuana reform was one of the last things I expected would be part of my career when I began doing political and policy research. I am not an advocate; I am a political scientist. I was not trained in the study of drug policy; I was trained in the study of political institutions, specifically the presidency and the bureaucracy.

      However, sometimes very interesting opportunities fall into your lap, and a new venture becomes a career highlight. Marijuana policy is exactly that. I came to this issue in part by happenstance and largely because a colleague of mine, Jonathan Rauch, encouraged me to ask the types of questions my research focuses on (regulation, personnel, bureaucratic organization, and executive-legislative interaction) and apply it to a new and emerging area of policy: the legalization of adult-use marijuana.

      That spurred an interest in marijuana policy of all types and led to extensive research, many trips and interviews, as well as a nearly obsessive reading into the plant, its products, the people, and the policy. Along the way, I worked with a tremendous group of individuals who approach this issue from all directions—from the full-throated advocate to the staunchest of opponents and everyone in between. Their support, guidance, knowledge, experience, personal stories, and perspectives have helped inform my understanding of marijuana policy and made Marijuana: A Short History what it is.

      Chief among all of the people with whom I have worked is my former colleague and frequent coauthor, Grace Wallack. Grace has an incredible mind for whatever endeavor she undertakes. As in my case, marijuana policy was not a lifelong passion or expected part of her job, but as a team we picked apart some of the most complex issues surrounding marijuana policy and sought to explain them to whomever would listen. It turned out, a lot of people listened. Without her support, intellect, motivation, and ability to keep me on track, the marijuana research emerging from my office would have been a shell of what it is today. She deserves both the highest of praise and my complete gratitude.

      Other Brookings colleagues have helped inform my work, my understanding of marijuana policy, and were excellent sounding boards as this book came to fruition. Christine Stenglein, Phil Wallach, Jon Rauch, Makada Henry-Nickie, Aaron Klein, Ashley Gabriele, the Brookings Creative Lab Team (George Burroughs, Sareen Hairabedian, Mark Hoelscher, Zach Kulzer, Ian McAllister), Emily Perkins, Ashley Bennett, Jessica Brandt, Bob Brier, Brittany Brown-Hart, Stephanie Dahle, Courtney Dunakin, Anna Goodbaum, Christine Jacobs, Dylan Jennings, Elaine Kamarck, Ellie Klein, Curtlyn Kramer, Nick McClellan, Cody Poplin, Camilo Ramirez, Liz Sablich, Jessica Harris, Beth Stone, Strobe Talbott,