Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
State Sen. Jennifer Flanagan will be a shining star as the governor's appointee to the new Cannabis Control Commission beginning Friday, Sept. 1, as it was announced on Wednesday, Aug. 23.
Flanagan resigned her seat in the Senate Thursday, Aug. 31 to take the new position after serving in the State House for 21 years.
"It has been the honor to serve and represent my constituency as an elected official in this body," Flanagan stated in her Aug. 24 resignation letter to Clerk of the Massachusetts Senate William Welch, a copy of which she posted on Facebook.
Hailing from Leominster, the 41-year-old Flanagan is a Democrat whose ability to reach across the aisle to work with independents and Republicans, as well as her own party, played a big part in her appointment.
Speaking from her Leominster office on Wednesday, Aug. 23, Flanagan said she is very excited to start this next chapter in her career.
"This is a totally non-partisan issue, and we want to get it right, and do it right from the beginning," she said. "This will be done with integrity and the highest standards."
Flanagan described the entire announcement as a "whirlwind."
"Gov. Baker and I have a great relationship, and we have been great partners on many issues," she noted. "We do not always agree on issues, but we can work together."
The five-member Cannabis Control Commission will regulate both the recreational and medical marijuana industries in Massachusetts.
"As a member of the Legislature, Sen. Flanagan has been a champion and important partner with us on bipartisan efforts to enact comprehensive legislation around substance use prevention, treatment and recovery," Baker said in an Aug. 23 statement. "Her experience and service will be invaluable to the Cannabis Control Commission and to the people of Massachusetts as the Commission, our administration, the Treasurer, Attorney General, lawmakers, educators and public health and safety professionals work together to ensure the effective, responsible and safe implementation of the adult use of marijuana in the Commonwealth."
Other members of the board will be appointed by State Treasurer Deborah Goldman and State Attorney General Maura Healey. As of press time, Flanagan said she does not know who the other members will be.
The governor's statement said the Cannabis Control Commission would "set potency limits for edible marijuana products and that it adopt packaging requirements that conform to a detailed list of health and safety protections." The commission will get recommendations from a Cannabis Advisory Board, five members of which Baker appointed last month, on regulating and taxing marijuana.
Flanagan began her political career as an aide to state Rep. Mary Jane Simmons. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2004, serving two terms. She then ran for state Senate, being elected in 2008.
During her tenure, Flanagan has served as chair of the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Committee, the Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities Committee, and the Special Senate Committee on Opioids.
She has been active on all of her committees, authoring important pieces of legislation, and being an integral part of bringing focus on these issues to the forefront.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Flanagan ready for new job on marijuana control board
Author: Diane C. Beaudoin
Contact: Contact the Leominster Champion | Leominster Champion
Photo Credit: Bing Images
Website: Leominster Champion | Leominster's Community News Source
Flanagan resigned her seat in the Senate Thursday, Aug. 31 to take the new position after serving in the State House for 21 years.
"It has been the honor to serve and represent my constituency as an elected official in this body," Flanagan stated in her Aug. 24 resignation letter to Clerk of the Massachusetts Senate William Welch, a copy of which she posted on Facebook.
Hailing from Leominster, the 41-year-old Flanagan is a Democrat whose ability to reach across the aisle to work with independents and Republicans, as well as her own party, played a big part in her appointment.
Speaking from her Leominster office on Wednesday, Aug. 23, Flanagan said she is very excited to start this next chapter in her career.
"This is a totally non-partisan issue, and we want to get it right, and do it right from the beginning," she said. "This will be done with integrity and the highest standards."
Flanagan described the entire announcement as a "whirlwind."
"Gov. Baker and I have a great relationship, and we have been great partners on many issues," she noted. "We do not always agree on issues, but we can work together."
The five-member Cannabis Control Commission will regulate both the recreational and medical marijuana industries in Massachusetts.
"As a member of the Legislature, Sen. Flanagan has been a champion and important partner with us on bipartisan efforts to enact comprehensive legislation around substance use prevention, treatment and recovery," Baker said in an Aug. 23 statement. "Her experience and service will be invaluable to the Cannabis Control Commission and to the people of Massachusetts as the Commission, our administration, the Treasurer, Attorney General, lawmakers, educators and public health and safety professionals work together to ensure the effective, responsible and safe implementation of the adult use of marijuana in the Commonwealth."
Other members of the board will be appointed by State Treasurer Deborah Goldman and State Attorney General Maura Healey. As of press time, Flanagan said she does not know who the other members will be.
The governor's statement said the Cannabis Control Commission would "set potency limits for edible marijuana products and that it adopt packaging requirements that conform to a detailed list of health and safety protections." The commission will get recommendations from a Cannabis Advisory Board, five members of which Baker appointed last month, on regulating and taxing marijuana.
Flanagan began her political career as an aide to state Rep. Mary Jane Simmons. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2004, serving two terms. She then ran for state Senate, being elected in 2008.
During her tenure, Flanagan has served as chair of the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Committee, the Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities Committee, and the Special Senate Committee on Opioids.
She has been active on all of her committees, authoring important pieces of legislation, and being an integral part of bringing focus on these issues to the forefront.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Flanagan ready for new job on marijuana control board
Author: Diane C. Beaudoin
Contact: Contact the Leominster Champion | Leominster Champion
Photo Credit: Bing Images
Website: Leominster Champion | Leominster's Community News Source
