Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
Even though he voted against the ballot question legalizing recreational marijuana, Cannabis Control Commission Chairman Steven Hoffman says he supports the aims of the new law.
"My concern as a private citizen was, I thought the timeline was pretty short to deal with the complexities of the public safety issues involved. But, I'm a supporter of the objectives of the law," Hoffman told reporters at a press conference on Wednesday.
Hoffman added, "I would not have taken the job unless I was totally committed to execute the job in good faith."
Hoffman also said he has smoked marijuana, although he does not do so regularly.
He said he went to high school in the 1960s and college in the early 1970s, when marijuana was "ubiquitous." The last time he smoked was with friends in Colorado, where marijuana is legal, on the weekend of July 4, 2016. He said he went to a store, bought a t-shirt and a joint, and watched the fireworks.
Hoffman, 64, was appointed chairman of the commission by Treasurer Deborah Goldberg. The newly formed, five-member commission was established to regulate the state's nascent legal marijuana industry.
Hoffman has a corporate management background. He was CEO of ThinkFire and Exchange Solutions. ThinkFire helps technology companies with intellectual property services, while Exchange Solutions designs customer loyalty programs. He held senior positions at several management consulting companies including Sapient, CSC Index and Bain and Company.
He holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Wesleyan University and an MBA in finance and statistics from the University of Chicago.
Jim Borghesani, a spokesman for the Yes on 4 group that advocated for legalizing marijuana, has said Hoffman has "impressive credentials" but expressed concern that four out of five members of the commission voted against legalization.
Hoffman said all the members of the commission are "committed to doing everything possible to implement the law successfully and on time."
Hoffman said he is "confident" that the commission will be able to meet the law's deadlines, which would allow retail pot shops to open July 1, 2018. Hoffman said he has worked with start-ups before, and there are always difficult deadlines to meet. "You put your head down, be creative, roll up your sleeves and get stuff done," Hoffman said.
Staff from Goldberg's office, which is overseeing the commission, has already started doing work -- visiting other states where recreational marijuana use is legal, putting together job descriptions and writing a request for proposals for the necessary technology. The Cannabis Control Commission plans to meet for the first time Tuesday in a public meeting.
The first steps the commission will take include hiring staff, putting together a project plan and reaching out to constituencies including legislators, marijuana advocates and other state commissions that have regulatory experience such as the Gaming Commission and the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission.
The Cannabis Control Commission currently has a budget of $2.3 million appropriated by the Legislature. Goldberg has estimated it will take $10 million to cover the commission's first year.
Ultimately, Hoffman said he anticipates the marijuana industry will not only cover its costs but generate money for the state. The industry will pay state taxes and licensing fees. He said one of the first things the commission will do is create a project plan and figure out the start-up costs.
"We have the resources to get started, I'll reserve comment on whether it's adequate to get us to the finish line," Hoffman said. "If current funding is inadequate, as I suspect it will be, we'll go to the Legislature and say here's what we need."
Hoffman will earn an annual salary of $160,000 from his commission work. The other commissioners will earn around $120,000.
Hoffman personally has no background in the marijuana industry, but he noted that other commissioners do, and he will hire staff. As a management consultant for 20 years, Hoffman said he has experience in learning about new industries quickly.
The other members of the Cannabis Control Commission are Jennifer Flanagan, Britte McBride, Kay Doyle and Shaleen Title.
Flanagan is a former state senator who worked on substance abuse issues. McBride is a former prosecutor and legal counsel to the Massachusetts Department of Public Safety. Doyle previously worked as a lawyer for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health where she focused on medical marijuana law. Title is a co-founder of THC Staffing Group, a cannabis recruiting firm focused on equality and inclusion.
In an introductory press conference on his first day on the job, Hoffman generally declined to comment on specific issues that will face the commission, saying he needs to learn more. He noted that the federal prohibition on marijuana is "a risk we'll have to be cognizant of." He said the potential for a marijuana shortage "is an issue that we have to address."
Overall, Hoffman said he envisions a successful industry as one where marijuana is accessible, generates revenue for the state, and is well-regulated so all parts of the industry are operating as "safe and efficient businesses."
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Cannabis Control Commission Chairman Steven Hoffman confident marijuana shops will open on time | masslive.com
Author: Shira Schoenberg
Contact: Contact Us - MassLive Media Solutions
Photo Credit: Seth Weing
Website: Massachusetts Local News, Breaking News, Sports and Weather - MassLive.com
"My concern as a private citizen was, I thought the timeline was pretty short to deal with the complexities of the public safety issues involved. But, I'm a supporter of the objectives of the law," Hoffman told reporters at a press conference on Wednesday.
Hoffman added, "I would not have taken the job unless I was totally committed to execute the job in good faith."
Hoffman also said he has smoked marijuana, although he does not do so regularly.
He said he went to high school in the 1960s and college in the early 1970s, when marijuana was "ubiquitous." The last time he smoked was with friends in Colorado, where marijuana is legal, on the weekend of July 4, 2016. He said he went to a store, bought a t-shirt and a joint, and watched the fireworks.
Hoffman, 64, was appointed chairman of the commission by Treasurer Deborah Goldberg. The newly formed, five-member commission was established to regulate the state's nascent legal marijuana industry.
Hoffman has a corporate management background. He was CEO of ThinkFire and Exchange Solutions. ThinkFire helps technology companies with intellectual property services, while Exchange Solutions designs customer loyalty programs. He held senior positions at several management consulting companies including Sapient, CSC Index and Bain and Company.
He holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Wesleyan University and an MBA in finance and statistics from the University of Chicago.
Jim Borghesani, a spokesman for the Yes on 4 group that advocated for legalizing marijuana, has said Hoffman has "impressive credentials" but expressed concern that four out of five members of the commission voted against legalization.
Hoffman said all the members of the commission are "committed to doing everything possible to implement the law successfully and on time."
Hoffman said he is "confident" that the commission will be able to meet the law's deadlines, which would allow retail pot shops to open July 1, 2018. Hoffman said he has worked with start-ups before, and there are always difficult deadlines to meet. "You put your head down, be creative, roll up your sleeves and get stuff done," Hoffman said.
Staff from Goldberg's office, which is overseeing the commission, has already started doing work -- visiting other states where recreational marijuana use is legal, putting together job descriptions and writing a request for proposals for the necessary technology. The Cannabis Control Commission plans to meet for the first time Tuesday in a public meeting.
The first steps the commission will take include hiring staff, putting together a project plan and reaching out to constituencies including legislators, marijuana advocates and other state commissions that have regulatory experience such as the Gaming Commission and the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission.
The Cannabis Control Commission currently has a budget of $2.3 million appropriated by the Legislature. Goldberg has estimated it will take $10 million to cover the commission's first year.
Ultimately, Hoffman said he anticipates the marijuana industry will not only cover its costs but generate money for the state. The industry will pay state taxes and licensing fees. He said one of the first things the commission will do is create a project plan and figure out the start-up costs.
"We have the resources to get started, I'll reserve comment on whether it's adequate to get us to the finish line," Hoffman said. "If current funding is inadequate, as I suspect it will be, we'll go to the Legislature and say here's what we need."
Hoffman will earn an annual salary of $160,000 from his commission work. The other commissioners will earn around $120,000.
Hoffman personally has no background in the marijuana industry, but he noted that other commissioners do, and he will hire staff. As a management consultant for 20 years, Hoffman said he has experience in learning about new industries quickly.
The other members of the Cannabis Control Commission are Jennifer Flanagan, Britte McBride, Kay Doyle and Shaleen Title.
Flanagan is a former state senator who worked on substance abuse issues. McBride is a former prosecutor and legal counsel to the Massachusetts Department of Public Safety. Doyle previously worked as a lawyer for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health where she focused on medical marijuana law. Title is a co-founder of THC Staffing Group, a cannabis recruiting firm focused on equality and inclusion.
In an introductory press conference on his first day on the job, Hoffman generally declined to comment on specific issues that will face the commission, saying he needs to learn more. He noted that the federal prohibition on marijuana is "a risk we'll have to be cognizant of." He said the potential for a marijuana shortage "is an issue that we have to address."
Overall, Hoffman said he envisions a successful industry as one where marijuana is accessible, generates revenue for the state, and is well-regulated so all parts of the industry are operating as "safe and efficient businesses."
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Cannabis Control Commission Chairman Steven Hoffman confident marijuana shops will open on time | masslive.com
Author: Shira Schoenberg
Contact: Contact Us - MassLive Media Solutions
Photo Credit: Seth Weing
Website: Massachusetts Local News, Breaking News, Sports and Weather - MassLive.com
