WHAT WE DO
Our knowledge and experience span all types of cannabis policy issues (adult-use, medical, hemp) at every level of government, and we use them to guide and help execute our clients’ strategic and tactical decisions. We are also intimately familiar with the industry, so we know which laws and regulations are effective and which ones should be avoided. And because we have spent years on the front lines of cannabis policy reform, we understand the interplay between public opinion and cannabis policy better than any firm in the nation.
VSS bridges the gap between cannabis policy and public affairs.
VSS partners with businesses, trade associations, advocacy organizations, governments, and others to shape policy and public opinion around cannabis and other drug policy issues. We work closely with their leaders, in-house lobbyists, and public relations teams, and we frequently collaborate with other contractors, including many of the large public affairs firms that have recently entered the cannabis space. By supplementing their proficiency in GR and PR with our expertise in marijuana policy and advocacy, we ensure our clients implement the most effective laws and regulations.
Learn more about our core services below.
Advocacy & Campaigns
Passing laws requires building a movement, and we can help with any or all aspects of the process. VSS team members have managed, advised, and worked on a variety of successful state and local cannabis-related ballot initiative campaigns, as well as several successful state legislative efforts.
We are eager to work with individuals and organizations around the nation to enact effective cannabis policies, and we know what it takes to get the job done.
Government Affairs
VSS team members have extensive experience working on all types of cannabis policy issues — adult-use, medical, and hemp — at every level of government. Our knowledge of the industry, combined with our ability to educate and persuade decision-makers, will ensure you receive superior representation.
We know which types of laws and regulations have been effective and which should be avoided, making VSS particularly well-positioned to advise on efforts to enact new state and local cannabis policies.
Policy Guidance & Tracking
With unrivaled experience drafting and implementing cannabis laws and regulations — and analyzing marijuana and hemp markets — VSS is uniquely qualified to assist businesses, industry associations, investors, governmental bodies, and advocacy organizations on all matters related to cannabis policy. From extensive reviews of existing and draft legislation and regulations to analyses of their potential impact on business plans, we offer a variety of consulting services that enable entities to understand the implications of these policies and strategically pursue changes.
For Businesses
VSS helps companies navigate and influence the constantly changing cannabis policy landscape, offering them considerable value through actionable information and thoughtful insights. We excel at helping our clients identify their policy goals and devise effective strategies for accomplishing them.
Our team tracks changes in laws and regulations, identifies areas of potential concern or improvement, and assists companies with acting on them. We can also help them identify optimal jurisdictions in which to operate, or help shape policies in a particular market to make it suitable for their products or services.
For Associations, Nonprofits & Governments
VSS is dedicated to fostering effective cannabis laws and regulations across the country, so we especially enjoy working with trade associations, advocacy organizations and government officials to shape policy more broadly.
We have worked with organizations in nearly a dozen states to prepare comments, draft statutory and regulatory language, develop model regulations, and produce white papers outlining optimal cannabis policies. We also organize comprehensive fact-finding trips for officials; coordinate private meetings with key regulators, policymakers, and experts; and arrange exclusive tours of licensed facilities.
Research & Analysis
VSS offers valuable research and market analysis to inform client decisions on cannabis policy. We have the talent, tools, and experience to offer a broad range of services, including cannabis market quantification, demand forecasting, medical patient population analysis, specialized regulatory research, wholesale and retail pricing model development, production control evaluation, and tax revenue estimations. They are customized to meet the individual needs of each public or private sector client and provide a data-driven basis for business and policy decisions.
Strategic Communications
Whether you are operating a cannabis-related business or advocating for or against cannabis-related legislation, VSS can help you develop a winning message and communicate it effectively to your target audience. We can assist with everything from planning and executing paid and earned media campaigns, to developing talking points, producing ads, designing materials, and other collateral.
Media Relations
VSS team members have been engaged in cannabis-related media activities for nearly two decades. We have relationships throughout the mainstream and cannabis-specific media, and we know how outlets and journalists operate. We use this experience and knowledge to get our clients in the news and generate positive coverage.
VSS can guide clients through every step of the process. We draft and distribute media releases and op-eds; pitch stories; coordinate news conferences and interviews; and provide media training.
OUR CLIENTS
VS Strategies serves businesses, trade associations, advocacy organizations, and other groups and individuals seeking to shape public opinion and implement the most effective cannabis laws and regulations. Our current and past clients include:
