Cherie MacLeod

Cherie MacLeod is a Strategic Advisor for the City of Seattle, where she has played a significant role in cannabis regulation and equity initiatives. She has previously served as the Marijuana Program Coordinator with the Consumer Protection Division, where she was instrumental in implementing Initiative 502, Washington's legalization of recreational cannabis, in 2014.12

MacLeod is known for her focus on equity and social justice within the cannabis industry. She has highlighted the disparities in ownership and access to resources, noting that the legal cannabis market has become predominantly controlled by white individuals, contrasting with the more diverse ownership seen in earlier medical dispensaries.1 Her work emphasizes the need for policies that ensure equitable outcomes for communities disproportionately affected by past cannabis laws.13

In addition to her advisory role, MacLeod has represented the Association of Washington Cities on various task forces aimed at addressing racial equity in cannabis licensing and supporting communities impacted by incarceration related to drug offenses.13 Her background includes a commitment to ensuring that community voices are heard and that policy changes reflect the needs of those most affected by cannabis prohibition.1