High Stakes: The Legal, Ethical, and Policy Implications of Cannabis

On February 28, 2025, Albany Law School's Government Law Review and Government Law Center held a joint symposium examining the evolving landscape of cannabis law, policy, and governance. 

Edwin L. Crawford Memorial Lecture in Municipal Law
Click to watch the video recording.

Introductory Remarks
Cinnamon P. Carlarne, 19th President and Dean of Albany Law School
Patrick Wildes ’16, Director of the Government Law Center at Albany Law School
Sen. Jeremy Cooney ’10, New York State Senator

Municipal Powers Under New York State Cannabis Laws and Regulations
Presented by Corey Auerbach, Esq. ’07, and Jason Klimek. Esq.

Government Law Review 2025 Symposium
Click to watch the video recording.

Panel 1: The Evolving Landscape of Cannabis Law at Every Level
Featuring Prof. Robert Mikos, Jasmine Higgins, Lisa Brunner, and Matthew Leonardo, Esq. ’07. Moderated by Prof. Ava Ayers.

Panel 2: Equitable Development in Cannabis Governance
Featuring Prof. Ryan Stoa, Mauricio Agudelo, Esq., Prof. Benjamin Varadi, and Cat Packer, Esq. Moderated by Cinnamon P. Carlarne.

Corey Auerbach, Esq. ’07
Managing Director, Barclay Damon, LLP

Jason Klimek, Esq.
Senior Counsel, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP

Prof. Robert Mikos
LaRoche Family Chair in Law, Vanderbilt University Law School

Jasmine Higgins
Partner and COO, GLS

Lisa Brunner
Chairwoman, White Earth Ojibwe Nation Medicinal Cannabis Control Commission

Matthew Leonardo, Esq. ’07
Principal, Hinman Straub
Adjunct Professor, Albany Law School

Prof. Ava Ayers
Professor of Law at Albany Law School

Prof. Ryan Stoa
Associate Professor of Law, Louisiana State University Law Center

Mauricio Agudelo, Esq.
President, H20 Health Ventures

Prof. Benjamin Varadi
Associate Professor of Law, Vermont Law School

Cat Packer, Esq.
Director of Drug Markets and Legal Regulation at the Drug Policy Alliance

Cinnamon P. Carlarne
19th President and Dean of Albany Law School