Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission tapped former Treasurer Shannon O’Brien earlier this month as the new chairman, replacing the interim chairman Sarah Kim and first CCC chairman Stephen Hoffman.
Now the Commission is in danger of losing credibility.
What happened: O’Brien’s name was listed on two cannabis cultivation applications, the Boston Herald reported.
According to documents reviewed by the Herald, O’Brien was one of the people who took part in the job applications submitted by Greenfield Greenery LLC in 2020 and Charlemont FarmWorks LLC, both approved by the CCC.
O’Brien, the 2002 Democratic nominee for governor, will be paid $181,722 in her new position. She was listed as the “owner/partner” of the Greenfield Greenery proposal, which aimed to start an outdoor grow operation.
The Company filed a series of community agreements with the City of Greenfield in October 2020. Two months later, Greenfield Greenery notified city officials that it planned to open a marijuana business.
mid 2021O’Brien, then listed as the company’s CEO, addressed the city’s Board of Appeal, explaining that “their mission is to partner with local farmers to develop an outdoor facility for growing sun-grown cannabis.”
O’Brien was present at Charlemont FarmWorks’ second application called as a consultant.
What’s next?
That State regulators are aware of the issue, a spokesman for the commission said, adding that an application filed in May to change ownership of the Greenfield pharmacy is awaiting processing.
joe battenfeld, a veteran political columnist for the Herald calls for the resignation of O’Brien and Treasurer Deb Goldberg who appointed her to the position.
“Because this state is a hackerama and O’Brien is a former Democratic civil servant, unless someone comes forward to pressure her to resign or at least declare her business interests, she will get a passport,” Battenfeld said said.
Meanwhile, Goldberg had…
