Two months after pushing back on a claim he would be leaving by the end of the year, Shawn Collins is resigning as executive director of the Cannabis Control Commission, the latest move to rock the troubled state agency, whose chair was suspended in September.
Marijuana
Posted inMarijuana
Who’s in charge at the Cannabis Control Commission?
With its chair indefinitely suspended, the four remaining members of the Cannabis Control Commission are having a hard time deciding who’s their leader. They can’t even agree whether they are in a pickle or a conundrum.
Posted inMarijuana
Cannabis regulators kicking the tires on social consumption sites
A clarification has been added to this story. TITO JACKSON hopes to someday turn his marijuana dispensary, Apex Noire, into a place where guests can listen to poetry and music while enjoying cannabis-infused foods and other products on his facility’s roof deck. But for now Jackson’s dream is just that – a dream. “We are […]
Posted inCourts, Marijuana, State Government
Goldberg gives cannabis chair O’Brien chance to be heard
ON THE EVE of a scheduled court hearing challenging her suspension as chair of the state Cannabis Control Commission, Shannon O’Brien said state Treasurer Deborah Goldberg has agreed to hold a hearing on her removal. O’Brien filed a lawsuit last week alleging she had been improperly suspended by Goldberg without due process or an opportunity […]
Posted inMarijuana, State Government
Cannabis commission director pushes back at ‘crisis’ comment
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR of the Cannabis Control Commission, Shawn Collins is in the driver’s seat of a newly empowered regulatory agency, one that oversees an industry that’s still finding its footing and provides regulators with a parade of heady issues to address. Collins told the News Service this week that he […]
Posted inMarijuana
O’Brien apologizes for handling of last CCC meeting
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE THE CHAIRWOMAN of the Cannabis Control Commission apologized to her fellow commissioners Thursday for any “angst” or “confusion” she caused at their last meeting when she unexpectedly announced the agency’s executive director was leaving and that the CCC was in “crisis.” Chairwoman Shannon O’Brien announced at a July 28 meeting that Executive Director […]
Posted inMicrophilanthropy
Testing lab executive slams marijuana regulators
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE EACH PERSON who testified before the Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy on Tuesday got three minutes to make their case. But the founder and CEO of one of the first laboratories approved to test marijuana in Massachusetts probably could have gone on for hours telling lawmakers about the issues he has […]
Posted inOpinion
Tracing the LGBTQ+ origins of legal cannabis
EVERY JUNE, rainbow flags are flown in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community. The colors light up buildings and landmarks, and companies from all sectors market products that celebrate Pride Month. While cannabis companies are no exception, they align much more authentically with Pride than others because of their deep connection to one another as long-time […]
Posted inEconomy, Government, Marijuana
Social consumption cannabis plans get a retooling
IT’S BEEN SEVEN YEARS since Massachusetts legalized recreational marijuana, but there’s still a lengthy road ahead before someone can sit down in a cannabis cafe, pop an edible or break out a joint, and wind down after a long day. That road got a bit shorter on Monday, however, with industry regulators voting to scrap […]
Posted inMarijuana, State Government
Cannabis licensing snafu over O’Brien much ado about nothing
THE CANNABIS Control Commission unanimously approved a final license for Greenfield Greenery on Thursday, resolving a months-long delay resulting from questions about whether Commission Chair Shannon O’Brien properly removed herself from ownership of the company. A commission investigation concluded that O’Brien and Greenfield Greenery both did everything properly in removing O’Brien from her ownership position. […]