James is a volunteer for Bay Staters for Natural Medicine, a grassroots community group educating city leaders on plant medicines and the war on drugs. His passion is rooted in experiences growing up in a neighborhood plagued by prohibition-linked violence and seeing loved ones struggle with addiction. 

In his day job, he works as legislative director to a Massachusetts state representative that chairs the legislature's cannabis committee and formerly did legislative work for the City Council of Berkeley. He holds a Master's in Public Administration (MPA) from USC and a B.A. in economics and history from Columbia. His views do not necessarily represent his employer's.

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