Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission Announces Travis Ahern Will Take Helm as Agency’s Next Executive Director   

WORCESTER – The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (Commission) announced today that Travis Ahern has accepted the agency’s offer to serve as its next Executive Director starting in 2025. His hire, which comes after a 4-0 vote by Commissioners to offer him the post on Dec. 18, marks the end of a nationwide search process as the agency prepares to enter the next phase of regulating Massachusetts’ $8 billion regulated cannabis industry.

Ahern will become the Commission’s second Executive Director when he takes over the role from Chief People Officer Debbie Hilton-Creek, who has served as Acting Executive Director since October 2023. When his tenure begins, potentially slated for March 3, 2025, Ahern will be the first Executive Director hired by the sitting Commissioners, who were appointed by the Governor, State Treasurer, and Attorney General in 2021.

“Travis Ahern stood out to the search committee among the 170 professionals who applied for the opportunity to lead the Commission. I am confident he will shepherd the agency and regulated cannabis industry into a new phase of maturation as we approach next steps for finalizing on-site social consumption in Massachusetts and tackling other reforms,” Acting Chair Bruce Stebbins said. “Commissioners noted that he has the right combination of leadership knowledge and administrative expertise to oversee the dedicated staff who carry out our mission of ensuring a safe, effective, and equitable cannabis market.”

Ahern has served as the Holliston town administrator since July 2020. In previous roles, he served as the policy and finance director for the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority (MWRA) Advisory Board, the Danvers finance director, and as a financial analyst for the town of Weston.

During his October interview, Ahern spoke about his time working with Marijuana Establishments in Holliston, describing how he had worked to implement local changes under reforms related to Chapter 180 of the Acts of 2022, the state’s equity reform law. He also named issues like social consumption, potential federal rescheduling of cannabis, and expanding opportunities for social equity as items he would look forward to working on as Executive Director.

“My initial focus as the agency’s new Executive Director will be to leverage the subject matter expertise within the organization, from staff and Commissioners, to help the organization deliver on its mission of providing a safe, equitable cannabis marketplace in Massachusetts,” Ahern said. “I view Chapter 180 of the Acts of 2022 as a turning point, providing the necessary tools for the CCC to achieve its goals and lead Massachusetts forward. I believe the future is very bright for the CCC and I am excited to be a part of it.”

Ahern joins the Commission at a pivotal time: in November, combined adult-use and medical cannabis sales surpassed the $8 billion mark since 2018, while new regulatory changes are being implemented to operationalize the state’s equity reform law and support small businesses and patients, with proposed Social Consumption Licenses coming soon to expand the legal cannabis market in Massachusetts.

The selection of Ahern came after a monthslong process that began with Commission staff meeting in group sessions to talk about what they wanted in a new Executive Director. In June, Acting Chair Stebbins, Commissioner Ava Callender Concepcion, and Acting Executive Director/Chief People Officer Hilton-Creek were joined by members of staff representing departments ranging from HR and Communications to Equity Programming and Community Outreach to begin vetting candidates over the course of more than a dozen meetings. The subcommittee narrowed down a pool of more than 170 applicants to the top four finalists.

When he joins the agency in 2025, Ahern will lead the Commission staff of more than 140 employees and report directly to five, appointed Commissioners. The Executive Director serves as the administrative head of the Commission, pursuant to state law.

For more information, visit MassCannabisControl.com, contact the Commission by phone (774-415-0200) or email (Commission@CCCMass.com), or follow the agency on Facebook and X.

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