The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) has selected a former employee as its new executive director.
David Lakeman, who has headed the marijuana division at the Illinois Department of Agriculture since 2020, served as head of government affairs at Massachusetts’ CCC between 2018 and 2020, the CommonWealth Beacon reported.
The CCC, which oversees Massachusetts’ regulated marijuana industry, hasn’t had an executive director since Shawn Collins resigned from the position in late 2023.
Debra Hilton-Creek, the agency’s chief people officer, has been serving as acting executive director.
After narrowing the search to four candidates, the CCC unanimously chose Lakeman, according to the CommonWealth Beacon.
“I see Mr. Lakeman as someone who is well-versed in the Massachusetts cannabis industry but (who) also built an agency in Illinois,” Commissioner Kimberly Roy told the online news outlet.
“Shareholders want to see us move at a faster pace and want to see us get things accomplished.”
The Massachusetts inspector general wants the CCC to be put into receivership until the Legislature clarifies the difference in the roles of chair and executive director.
The agency has been plagued by allegations that there is a toxic work environment and instances of leadership bullying employees.
The state Legislature is holding hearings on Oct. 30 and in November to collect information about alleged dysfunction at the commission, according to the CommonWealth Beacon.