Cannabis Control Commission boss Shannon O’Brien ought to resign or be ousted instantly following a Herald report that she has pursuits in two marijuana tasks earlier than the fee.
Recusing herself from future selections on her tasks isn’t adequate.
Treasurer Deb Goldberg must step up and rescind her appointment, and Attorney General Maura Healey and her sidekick Andrea Campbell ought to take a agency stand towards O’Brien, the previous Democratic state treasurer.
If O’Brien doesn’t step other than her $181,722 put up, the fee, which regulates the $3 billion hashish business, will lose all credibility.
The Herald reported that O’Brien, who ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2002, has been concerned in two purposes for hashish rising, in response to CCC paperwork.
She is listed as “owner/partner” of a 2020 proposal by Greenfield Greenery LLC to open an outside cultivation operation, and as an adviser to a second utility by Charlemont FarmWorks LLC.
According to CCC paperwork, each firms have been granted provisional licenses by the fee however nonetheless want CCC approval for a closing license and inspection.
A CCC spokesperson refused to problem a press release on O’Brien’s behalf and O’Brien couldn’t be reached for remark.
This is outrageous, even for Massachusetts.
Because this state is a Hackerama and O’Brien is a former Democratic state official, she’s going to get a go except somebody steps as much as put stress on her to resign or a minimum of clarify her enterprise pursuits.
Goldberg introduced O’Brien’s appointment again on Aug. 30 however by no means disclosed the previous treasurer’s expertise within the hashish enterprise. In one fell swoop, she sucked out any credibility the CCC now has.
“I am confident that her financial experience, experience in corporate governance, executive management and business development, combined with outstanding leadership skills and an acute knowledge of the legislative process, will help the Massachusetts cannabis industry be fairly regulated, equitable and successful,” Goldberg stated of O’Brien when asserting the appointment.
O’Brien wasn’t even round to remark, all she left was a inventory assertion saying, “I look forward to working with the other commissioners, agency staff, and stakeholders to ensure that this industry is well regulated while enhancing economic benefits for the citizens of the Commonwealth.”
Nothing about her monetary foray into hashish.
Did O’Brien and Goldberg assume they might get away with glossing over O’Brien’s hashish pursuits? Do they actually assume their Massachusetts constituents are that dumb?
Putting O’Brien in control of the hashish business is like placing a liquor retailer proprietor in control of the Alcohol Beverage Control Commission.
Any selections the CCC makes going ahead might be tainted as a result of O’Brien is both concerned financially or is a competitor enterprise.
How do different hashish firms really feel about being handled pretty when the top of the board has pursuits within the business?
Where does Healey and Andrea Campbell, erstwhile Attorney General, and Gov. Charlie Baker, stand on this?
We want solutions now.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”