As a senior policy advisor, Andrew Smith provides counsel, guidance and strategy for government relations to businesses and trade associations at the state and federal level of government with particular focus on highly regulated companies within the cannabis, alcohol, healthcare and pharmaceuticals sectors.
With 15 years of significant public policy and government affairs experience in government, campaigns and private practice, Andrew has helped to shape and protect multi-state cannabis corporate interests within the highly regulated environment in which they operate at the state and federal levels.
Andrew is a subject matter expert in cannabis as it relates to licensing approvals, regulatory strategy and management, legislative strategy, policymaker engagement and advocacy as well as coalition management. He works with cannabis businesses to implement legislative, regulatory and advocacy efforts their company needs to expand and/or protect their business positions. Andrew also has considerable experience in guiding cannabis businesses as they enter new state markets.
Andrew's considerable experience with government rules, regulations, affairs and strategies; regulatory agency strategy and compliance; and state and federal legislative reform also benefits organizations and companies working within the healthcare and pharmaceuticals industries.
Prior to joining the private sector, Andrew spent a decade working in government, campaigns and the public policy arenas. In particular, Andrew worked as Finance Director & Senior Advisor for Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe where he oversaw the strategy, development and implementation of a record-breaking $44 million fundraising operation.
Andrew began his career in public policy with Senator Mark Warner (D-VA). During Senator Warner’s 2008 campaign for the U.S. Senate, Andrew served as his personal aide, followed by working in Senator Warner's Capitol Hill office and later promoted to overseeing the Senator's political action committee as its Executive Director.
Andrew has also worked on numerous other national Presidential campaigns, including Hillary Clinton's presidential bid in 2008 and on President Obama’s 2012 re-election overseeing Mid-Atlantic fundraising operations.
