Mark Lugris is a writer and owner of a web design and communications agency. Born in Derby, Connecticut, Mark grew up in the U.S. and Spain. He attended the University of Connecticut, graduating in 1995 with a B.A. in English and Creative Writing, as well as a Certification in Photography. In his career, Mark has worked as a reporter, editor and public relations and communications manager, and has owned his own lifestyle magazine, PopGuide, in Madrid, Spain. A self-described pop culture junkie and eternal optimist, Mark’s worldview and writing have been shaped by his experience abroad. In his weekly Leaf of the Week column, he explores marijuana legalization as a global movement driven by the fundamental freedoms of choice and privacy. Mark currently lives in Connecticut.