Massachusetts Gov. Charles Baker on Friday signed into law a recreational marijuana bill that will allow the state to launch an adult-use program approved by voters, and an hour later, the first members of the Cannabis Advisory Board were appointed.
The state legislature passed a bill last week that modifies the voter-backed law passed in November.
After the governor signed the bill, state Treasurer Deb Goldberg announced five appointees to the Cannabis Advisory Board, according to the Boston Business Journal:
- Norton Arbelaez: He founded a medical marijuana center in Denver and advised Colorado state regulators.
- Alan Balsam: He’s a former director of public health in Brookline, Massachusetts.
- Michael Dundas: He’s president and CEO of Sage Naturals, a Massachusetts MMJ dispensary.
- Jaime Lewis: She’s COO and board member of Boston-based Mayflower Medicinals. She’s also a founding member of the Cannabis Business Alliance, chair of the National Cannabis Industry Association and founder of Colorado infused product manufacturer Mountain Medicine.
- Shanel Lindsay. She’s founder and president of Ardent, a Boston-based MMJ company.
The advisory board eventually will have 23 members, and they must be appointed by Aug. 1. A five-member Cannabis Control Commission must be in place by Sept. 1.
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