Deputy treasurer takes helm of Massachusetts cannabis commission amid lingering questions – The Boston Globe

Goldberg appointed Kim as interim chair on Monday, two weeks after inaugural chairman Steve Hoffman abruptly resigned on April 25.

Talking to reporters after easily guiding the fee by way of its in any other case routine assembly Thursday, Kim pressured that she wouldn’t be a candidate for the everlasting job. She stated she had accepted the non permanent gig as a result of she had beforehand helped lead Goldberg’s preparations to supervise the newly authorized pot business, earlier than a legislative rewrite of the 2016 marijuana legalization poll initiative expanded the company from three to 5 members and made it unbiased by splitting the ability to nominate its commissioners amongst Goldberg, Governor Charlie Baker, and Legal professional Basic Maura Healey.

“[Goldberg] reached out to me realizing I had been a part of the preliminary efforts approach again when the poll initiative was in course of,” Kim stated. “She wished to verify [Hoffman’s resignation] didn’t trigger any disruption.”

Goldberg stated in an announcement earlier this week that Kim “has in depth management expertise and information in regards to the requirements, objectives, and operations of the fee, in addition to perspective on obligatory steps as we progress within the implementation of excellent insurance policies in Massachusetts.”

“We’re proud to nominate her because the interim chair and strongly assist her efforts on this new function,” Goldberg added.

Hoffman, whose time period had been set to run out in late August, didn’t give a particular motive for quitting, and the company didn’t publicly acknowledge his departure till phrase leaked out per week later. On Thursday, Hoffman once more declined to elaborate, whereas his former colleagues remained tight-lipped in regards to the circumstances across the sudden change.

The delay within the announcement “gave us a while to… discuss it with employees and inform the members of the [Cannabis] Advisory Board,” commissioner Bruce Stebbins instructed reporters Thursday. “It may need been just a little elongated, however I believe that was the suitable protocol.”

Beneath state legislation, Goldberg is chargeable for appointing a member of the fee who comes with company administration, finance, or securities expertise and likewise for designating its chair. Kim instructed reporters Thursday she was unsure whether or not her expertise satisfies that authorized requirement, or if some other members of the fee have such expertise.

Throughout the assembly, Kim abstained from voting on any substantive issues equivalent to awarding and renewing marijuana enterprise licenses, saying she hadn’t had sufficient time to completely evaluate the supplies.

“I’m nonetheless attending to know the company and the problems it’s grappling with,” Kim defined. “The plan and the objective for the subsequent upcoming conferences is to undoubtedly immerse myself extra” whereas Goldberg’s workplace launches a seek for a everlasting chair.

A spokeswoman for Goldberg stated in an announcement that the treasurer “believes that Chair Kim meets the statutory {qualifications} to serve on this place given her in depth management expertise and oversight of Treasury companies and departments pertaining to company administration, finance, and securities — together with, however not restricted to, the Pension Fund and Money Administration Division.”

Within the meantime, different members of the company stated they supposed to maneuver ahead with the fee’s enterprise, together with in depth slates of license renewals every month and a recent spherical of revisions in 2023 to the laws governing hashish operators within the state.

“I don’t assume there’s something to be apprehensive about,” stated commissioner Ava Concepcion. “We’re nonetheless dedicated to doing our half.”

Dan Adams could be reached at daniel.adams@globe.com. Comply with him on Twitter @Dan_Adams86.