Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey on Tuesday named former state Revenue Commissioner Christopher Harding chair of a reshaped, three-member Cannabis Control Commission.
Harding replaces Shannon O’Brien, who was briefly reinstated as Massachusetts’ top cannabis regulator overseeing the state’s $1.65 billion annual industry after her firing during a contentious dispute.
In addition to serving as revenue commissioner under former Gov. Charlie Baker, Harding worked as chief of staff and undersecretary at the Executive Office of Health and Human Services.
He also served on the state Cannabis Advisory Board, which provided nonbinding policy advice to the CCC.
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Healey also appointed Xiomara DeLobato and Anthony Wilson to the reimagined CCC, which lawmakers and industry stakeholders have for years criticized as ineffective and dysfunctional, a critique supported by a state audit released last year.
“These appointees bring strong leadership and management experience, and I’m confident they will help move the Commission and industry forward,” the governor said in a statement.
The appointments mean the governor has entirely cleaned house at the commission.
“Given everything that’s gone on, I think it’s important to have a fresh start, fresh look at things,” Healey told reporters earlier this week.
DeLobato is vice president and chief of staff at the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council, where she has worked on regional initiatives, business partnerships and workforce development.
Wilson is a cannabis attorney who has advised operators in and startups in Massachusetts. He also brings municipal government experience, including roles in Springfield and Cambridge.
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Turmoil at the CCC became a recurring issue as Massachusetts’ marijuana market matured and operators pressed for more predictable oversight and faster policy decisions.
The new CCC comes along with a broad overhaul of state cannabis law.
Among the changes:
- Cannabis businesses can apply for one of three social-consumption licenses, or cannabis lounges
- The license cap for marijuana retailers is raised to six from three
- Cannabis can be delivered to cities and towns that have banned retail
- Medical cannabis businesses are no longer required to be vertically integrated and can wholesale cannabis from other cultivators
Separately, the CCC is due to discuss:
- A temporary pause on new cultivation permits, set to begin June 16
- An update to the state’s commercial cannabis laboratory testing protocols, meant to cut down on THC potency inflation and lab fraud
The revamped CCC will meet for the first time May 28.
