Brian Vicente Discusses the Evolution of Cannabis Law and the Industry’s Future on The Litigator’s Edge Podcast
Dec 1, 2025
As cannabis legalization continues to expand across the United States and internationally, few voices have been as influential in shaping the regulatory landscape as Brian Vicente.
On a recent episode of The Litigator’s Edge podcast, Vicente LLP founding partner Brian Vicente, one of the architects of Colorado’s historic cannabis legalization framework, shared insights on the evolution of cannabis law, persistent regulatory challenges what the next wave of innovation looks like for the industry.
During the conversation, Brian highlights emerging trends that may define the next decade of cannabis innovation, particularly the rapid growth of THC beverages and the increasing convergence of cannabis, alcohol and wellness markets.
“There's a bit of a revolution going on within the cannabis world in that...we've seen an absolute just meteoric rise of beverages in the cannabis space. 10 years from now, if and when we talk again, there will be intoxicating THC beverages everywhere alcohol is sold in this country. Every restaurant, every bar, every grocery store right next to that Budweiser will be cannabis beverages.” — Brian Vicente
Brian also discusses:
- How Colorado’s legalization model became the blueprint for other states and countries
- Why overregulation remains one of the biggest threats to market sustainability
- The growing convergence between alcohol, wellness, and cannabis markets
- What attorneys and entrepreneurs should understand about the next decade of cannabis innovation
Listen to the full podcast on The Litigator's Edge and YouTube.
About Brian Vicente
Vicente LLP Founding Partner Brian Vicente has been helping marijuana businesses obtain state and local licenses since the inception of the regulated cannabis industry — an industry he has played a significant role in shaping. He has also advised national, state, and local government officials in the development of regulated cannabis markets across the country and around the world.
Brian was a lead drafter of Colorado's historic legalization initiative, Amendment 64, and he co-directed the successful campaign in support of it. He also served as chair of the Committee for Responsible Regulation, which coordinated the successful campaign to implement statewide excise and sales taxes on adult-use marijuana in Colorado. Previously, Brian served as executive director of Sensible Colorado, a leading nonprofit organization advocating for medical marijuana patients and providers in Colorado.