Inspector General Calls for Receiver for Dysfunctional Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission

LOS ANGELES- The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) is in such disarray that lawmakers need to appoint a receiver to manage the regulatory agency, according to a recent letter from the state’s inspector general.

Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro characterized the commission as “rudderless” in a press release, urging legislative leaders to take responsibility for the troubled agency. Shapiro’s letter followed an audit by his office, which revealed increasing dysfunction over the past two years.

Shapiro emphasized the urgency for legislative intervention, stating, “Today I am asking legislative leaders to take immediate action to appoint a receiver and, in short order, address the underlying issues in the enabling statute so that the agency can function properly, maintain its budgeted revenue stream, and provide clarity and certainty for its stakeholders.”

Since September, the leadership of the CCC has been unclear after State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg suspended CCC Chairwoman Shannon O’Brien over allegations of racist remarks and staff mistreatment, which O’Brien has denied. This suspension has created significant confusion among stakeholders. Although CCC Commissioner Kimberly Roy was named acting chair, the commission later voted for Commissioner Ava Callender Concepcion to assume the role.

In an attempt to address its governance issues, the CCC spent $160,000 over the past two years on an independent consultant to develop a governance charter. This charter, meant to clearly define the commission’s mission, remains incomplete, contributing to what Shapiro described as “waste and uncertainty.”

Highlighting the financial impact, Shapiro noted, “This is no way to operate a state agency, let alone one that was responsible for bringing in approximately $322 million in tax revenue.”

Shapiro urged the appointment of a receiver with clear authority to manage the CCC’s daily operations and suggested restructuring the CCC to improve efficiency. He criticized the current structure, where commissioners vote on actions that could be delegated to an executive director, as critically inefficient.

“I believe the CCC needs immediate clear direction with an accountable hierarchy. In its present state, the CCC lacks such direction,” Shapiro concluded.