(This story was updated at 6:30 p.m. ET with more industry comments.)
A long-running leadership saga that was a drag on the Massachusetts cannabis industry ended Monday with the firing of the state’s top cannabis official.
Shannon O’Brien, former chair of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (CCC), was fired by state Treasurer Deborah Goldberg, according to WGBH, a Boston NPR station.
Goldberg appointed O’Brien to the state’s top marijuana post in August 2022, about four months after the previous chair, Steven Hoffman, retired in April 2022.
O’Brien, who in 2002 was the Democratic candidate for Massachusetts governor, threw the CCC into tumult by wrongfully announcing in July 2023 that the agency’s director was resigning.
In September 2023, Goldberg suspended O’Brien, who countered with a lawsuit.
O’Brien dropped the lawsuit after being granted a hearing.
In December 2023, another Boston NPR station, WBUR, reported on court filings that included allegations made in an investigator’s report charging that O’Brien made “racially, ethnically, culturally insensitive statements.”
Goldberg said in a statement on Monday that she reviewed more than 20 hours of meetings held earlier this year, plus various documents, case law and policies before deciding to fire O’Brien, according to WGBH.
The treasurer said in the statement that O’Brien was fired because she “committed gross misconduct and demonstrated she is unable to discharge the powers and duties of a CCC commissioner.”
“I expect my appointee’s actions to be reflective of the important mission of the CCC and performed in a manner that incorporates the standards of professionalism required in today’s work environment,” Goldberg said in the statement.
She added that an interim CCC chair would be named soon.
Dan Mondello, CEO of cannabis e-commerce and software agency Rank Really High, told MJBizDaily in an emailed statement: “The cannabis industry in Massachusetts deserves leaders who reflect the values of inclusivity and respect for all communities.
“With new leadership, we are hopeful that this marks the beginning of a more stable and clear path forward for operators who are deeply committed to serving the people of Massachusetts,” he said.
