As we all know by now …The Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA), which passed earlier this year, created a comprehensive regulatory structure to oversee adult-use marijuana within New York state.
The new law requires that the governor to appoint two people to two separate regulatory structures: the state Office of Cannabis Management and the Cannabis Control Board.
Voicing her concerns over the delayed launch of the industry, Gov. Kathy Hochul sent the names of two nominees to the state Senate for confirmation on Wednesday.
She nominated Christopher Alexander to head the Office of Cannabis Management.
“I am a New York native with a passion for policy and the political process. I am dedicated to affecting change in my community and communities like mine through the only means by which things do change in our democracy, actively inspired legislation.” Source Linked In
Alexander is currently the government relations director for Vill LLC, a cannabis company in Canada. He is also a former policy director for the Drug Policy Alliance.
“He is the perfect person to live out the vision of the MRTA and make sure we have that social and economically equitable industry that we all want in New York,” said Allan Gandelman, founder and president of the New York Cannabis Growers & Processors Association, and co-founder of Head and Heal.
“He is working for a Canadian cannabis company right now, so he has some experience,” Gandelman said. “But before that…he worked with the Drug Policy Alliance and he also worked for the state Senate as a counsel. He helped craft the MRTA bill years and years ago.”
Hochul’s second nomination is Tremaine Wright. If confirmed, she will chair the State’s Cannabis Control Board. Wright is a former assembly member and former public defender.
“Experienced Member with a demonstrated history of relationship building, leadership and community development, Strong operations professional skilled in Legislative Affairs, Government, Small Business, Nonprofit Organizations, Management, and Corporate Transactions.” Source Linked In
