Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission Chair Shannon O’Brien Suspended
The Treasurer of Massachusetts, Deborah Goldberg, has decided to suspend the Chairwoman of the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC), Shannon O’Brien. O’Brien was appointed by Goldberg a year ago, and the reasons for her suspension have not been disclosed. It is also unclear whether O’Brien will be completely removed from her position at the CCC.
As part of her suspension, O’Brien is not allowed to enter CCC offices or carry out any commission-related work. Although state law allows the Treasurer to remove a commissioner for various reasons, it does not directly address the issue of commissioner suspensions.
During O’Brien’s tenure as CCC chairwoman, she faced challenges such as controversies surrounding her previous ownership stake in a cultivation company and the departure of the executive director, as reported by WBUR.
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Maine’s Medical Cannabis Sector Faces Overhaul Amid Regulatory Changes and Record Sales
The medical cannabis industry in Maine, which generated over $300 million in sales last year, is undergoing significant changes due to providers leaving the market. These changes are primarily driven by legislative adjustments, as reported by the Press Herald.
The proposed regulations include a two-tiered system for violations, with potential penalties of up to $7,500.
However, some stakeholders, like Mark Barnett of the Maine Craft Cannabis Association, express concerns that these rules do not address the existing bureaucratic challenges faced by cannabis businesses.
There are also concerns about patient privacy, as voluntary registration of growing locations and optional photo additions to registration cards are being introduced. At the same time, the adult-use cannabis market in Maine is rapidly growing and nearly matches medical sales, indicating a shifting industry landscape.
2023 Louisiana Cannabis Policy Voter Guide Released by Marijuana Policy Project
The Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) has released its 2023 Louisiana Cannabis Policy Voter Guide, aimed at informing Louisiana residents about where candidates and incumbent legislators stand on cannabis-related issues.
MPP distributed surveys to all state office candidates and assessed the voting records of incumbents on nine key bills, resulting in a color-coded scorecard with letter grades.
As Louisiana does not have a ballot initiative process, the outcome of this election will significantly impact the state’s cannabis policy, as any legalization efforts will have to navigate through the legislature. A Louisiana State University poll conducted in 2023 showed that 70% of respondents approved of adult-use legalization.
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Photo by Scott Graham on Unsplash.
