A flurry of news in Massachusetts has put a glaring spotlight on the cannabis industry and its regulator — yet again.
In the past few weeks, the headlines have included: A former employee accused of bullying female colleagues got a $300,000 settlement payout. A judge ruled the former chair of the Cannabis Control Commission must get her job back, after a bruising legal fight with the state treasurer; however, the appeals court paused her return while it takes up a review. The Suffolk County sheriff was indicted for allegedly extorting a pot executive, raising questions about the opportunities for corruption in an agency with lax regulation.
All of this comes as the cannabis commission looks to climb out of years of personnel issues and infighting. The latest news has only served to amplify calls from the Legislature and the state auditor to overhaul the agency overseeing an $8 billion industry, with greater accountability internally and oversight by the governor instead of the treasurer…