Holliston City Administrator Travis Ahern has agreed to deliver his expertise in municipal authorities to the Hashish Management Fee subsequent yr as its new government director throughout a time of great modifications within the maturing business, the company introduced.
The announcement got here Monday night time lower than per week after commissioners voted 4-0 to increase a suggestion to Ahern, who was the de facto runner-up within the extended search to fill the emptiness on the CCC’s administrative head.
The pay can be anyplace between $156,000 and $217,000 per yr.
Commissioners initially selected a distinct candidate for the job, David Lakeman, however he finally declined the supply to stay the highest hashish regulator in Illinois.
Ahern has been city administrator for Holliston since July 2020. He beforehand labored as finance director for the city of Danvers, monetary analyst for the city of Weston, and in coverage and finance roles (together with director) on the Massachusetts Water Useful resource Authority Advisory Board.
The CCC’s inaugural government director, Shawn Collins, resigned in late 2023, and Chief Individuals Officer Debra Hilton-Creek has been serving as performing government director within the meantime.
“I am confident [Ahern] will shepherd the agency and regulated cannabis industry into a new phase of maturation as we approach next steps for finalizing on-site social consumption in Massachusetts and tackling other reforms,” CCC Appearing Chair Bruce Stebbins stated. “Commissioners noted that he has the right combination of leadership knowledge and administrative expertise to oversee the dedicated staff who carry out our mission of ensuring a safe, effective, and equitable cannabis market.”
Ahern’s begin date is “potentially slated for March 3, 2025,” the CCC stated in its announcement. Throughout his October interview, Ahern advised commissioners he was within the second yr of a three-year contract with Holliston and that he’s supposed to offer discover three months prematurely of leaving for an additional job.
“I share that only to say that is a courtesy that I would extend to my [select] board. It is most likely not legally binding if I were to leave for the state. However, because I respect my board, my board has been very good to me, I would extend them that courtesy,” he stated. “Generally speaking, municipalities would not take you up on three months. Most often, you don’t want somebody in a lame-duck position for that period of time, and you put somebody in the acting [role]. But I would extend them that courtesy.”
He’ll take over “as the agency prepares to enter the next phase of regulating Massachusetts’ $8 billion regulated cannabis industry,” the CCC stated, and as regulators are within the midst of launching on-site hashish consumption websites and getting ready for potential shifts in federal hashish coverage.
And 2025 might additionally result in modifications on the state stage, as lawmakers and authorities watchdogs search to regular the ship. Amid the slew of controversies on the CCC since 2023, a key Home lawmaker stated this summer time his committee “recognizes the need for clarity in structure and accountability at the Cannabis Control Commission” and “foresees a legislative path forward addressing the sources of concerns about the CCC’s administrative function.”
“My initial focus as the agency’s new Executive Director will be to leverage the subject matter expertise within the organization, from staff and Commissioners, to help the organization deliver on its mission of providing a safe, equitable cannabis marketplace in Massachusetts,” Ahern stated in a press release.
He stated he views the 2022 marijuana legislation “as a turning point, providing the necessary tools for the CCC to achieve its goals and lead Massachusetts forward.”
“I believe the future is very bright for the CCC and I am excited to be a part of it,” he stated.
