Maryland medical marijuana commission hires executive director

Only days after legal medical marijuana sales began in Maryland, the state’s MMJ commission has hired a new director.

Joy Strand, a hospital executive, is replacing Patrick Jameson, who resigned in November.

Jameson took the post in April 2016, succeeding Hannah Byron, the commission’s first executive director.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Strand had been serving as CEO of Crisfield-based McCready Health, where she led a health organization that included a hospital and several other health care services.
• In 2015, McCready Health partnered with Wellness Farms, a medical marijuana cultivation startup.
• Strand takes the reins as Maryland works to award more licenses for its medical cannabis program.
• When Jameson resigned, commission chairman Brian Lopez said the transition wouldn’t cause problems for licensees because the state has a compliance director and someone to monitor testing labs.