With the state pushing to accelerate expansion, the loss of experienced regulators could further complicate an already complex process.
New York’s Office of Cannabis Management is grappling with a series of high-level departures, which will likely further slow the state’s already troubled legalization rollout.
Green Market Report on Thursday learned of an “exodus” of sorts that had allegedly taken place within the agency’s office this week, according sources familiar with the matter. The office later confirmed at least four senior officials have tendered their resignations.
The departing staff include:
- Deputy Director of Licensing Danielle Holmes
- Director of Health and Safety Nicole Rosa
- First Deputy General Counsel Patricia Piskorski Heer
Syracuse.com also reported that General Counsel Linda Baldwin would be departing once a replacement for her position was found.
“Ms. Rosa, Ms. Holmes, and Ms. Heer have been incredible leaders at OCM, and the agency deeply appreciates all of their contributions to its work and mission,” the agency said in an email statement to Green Market Report. The OCM declined to comment further on “personnel matters.”
The latest exodus follows months of public criticism of the state’s cannabis program, which led Gov. Kathy Hochul to call for an agency overhaul in May.
Aaron Ghitelman, former OCM spokesperson, told Syracuse.com, “These are people who are working six-, seven-day weeks, working overtime for well over a year now. To have the chief executive of the state … publicly criticize and humiliate you for doing things she approved, why would anybody in their right mind stick around?”
The OCM has been dealing with a slew of challenges since its inception, including lawsuits from licensees and even program whistleblowers, in addition to sluggish progress in getting the legal adult-use market up and running.
