U.S. Food and Drug Administration Names First Internal Cannabis Advisor

NEW YORK- According to an internal memo from earlier this week that an FDA spokesperson provided to the financial publication, MarketWatch, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has appointed Norman Birenbaum, the former director of cannabis programs for New York State, as its first senior public health adviser on cannabis research and regulation initiatives. 

Douglas C. Throckmorton, the FDA’s deputy center director for regulatory programs, said of Norman:

“With his expertise in policy analysis and legislative outreach related to cannabis and cannabis-derived products, Norman is excited about creating the high-value partnerships needed for FDA’s outreach throughout the health care community, including with patients and patient advocacy groups. 

Under Governor Andrew Cuomo, Birenbaum oversaw the cannabis programs in New York State. In addition, he helped Rhode Island’s adult use cannabis sales get off the ground by serving as the organization’s first president.