Careers / Executive Director Search
The Agency
Since its creation in 2017, the Cannabis Control Commission (Commission) has overseen the safe, effective, and equitable regulation of Massachusetts’ licensed cannabis industry.
Five, full-time Commissioners lead our independent state agency based on appointments by the Governor, State Treasurer and Receiver General, and Attorney General for expertise in public health, public safety, social justice, regulated industries, and corporate management/finance/securities. Commissioners shape policies to build and maintain a marketplace which was first envisioned by voters who approved legalization at the ballot in 2012 and 2016, then was marbleized and reformed in statute by the State Legislature in 2017 and 2022. At monthly public meetings Commissioners vote to issue or renew licenses and approve certain business changes, certify workforce trainers, designate municipalities as Areas of Disproportionate Impact, review and revise guidance and regulations, and make other critical policy decisions that guide the industry.
Commission leaders reflect on the agency’s work after its first five years:
Watch a hybrid public meeting in action from April 2024:
More than 130 diverse and talented administrative staff report to the Commission’s Executive Director to help advance and fulfill the agency’s mandate and mission. That work includes the review of initial and renewal license applications, conducting investigations and other compliance activities, administering equity programs for individuals disproportionately harmed by previous marijuana prohibition and enforcement, publishing groundbreaking research, providing patient support, managing public education campaigns, and many other functions.
Following the opening of the first Marijuana Retailers on the East Coast in 2018, the adult-use cannabis industry has generated $6 billion in gross sales through the operation of more than 350 stores, while more than 100 Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers and the Medical Use of Marijuana Program serve nearly 100,000 patients statewide. Today, regulated marijuana is a top cash crop for the Commonwealth, surpassing even cranberries in value as the $7 billion-plus industry continues growing.
Review one of our “More About Marijuana” public education campaign videos:
Marijuana in Massachusetts from seed to sale:
Our Mission, Vision, and Values
Our mission is to honor the will of the voters of Massachusetts by safely, equitably, and effectively implementing and administering the laws enabling access to medical and adult-use marijuana in the Commonwealth.
The Commission will foster the creation of a safely regulated industry that will create entrepreneurial and employment opportunities and incremental tax revenues in and to communities across the state and which will be a best practice model for other states. The industry will be characterized by participation by small and larger participants and with full and robust participation by minorities, women, and veterans. We will develop policies and procedures to encourage and enable full participation in the marijuana industry by people from communities that have previously been disproportionately harmed by marijuana prohibition and enforcement and positively impact those communities.
Learn more about the Commission’s equity mandate and mission:
Our Operating Principles
The Commission promises to:
- Conduct all of our processes openly and transparently; and
- Engage in regular two-way communication with all concerned citizens, patients, health care providers and caregivers, partners, and other constituencies.
Build a world-class state agency by:
- Committing to the highest level of constituent services using state-of-the-art technology and multiple media;
- Defining and publicly measuring our performance versus metrics regarding timely execution, accessibility, impact on public health and safety, impact on disproportionately harmed communities, and incremental tax revenue generation;
- Becoming self-funding and generating a revenue surplus; and
- Creating a great place to work.
Enhance and ensure public health and safety by:
- Developing and enforcing effective regulations;
- Developing and executing a program of continuing public education;
- Conducting and contributing to research on marijuana-related topics; and
- Using surplus funds to help address issues in these areas.
The Industry
Massachusetts legalized cannabis for both medical (2012) and adult-use (2016), and Marijuana Retailers have been operational since November 2018. Massachusetts’ current adult-use cannabis industry is competitive with some of the leading adult-use states, as you can see from the current industry metrics provided by the Commission’s Research Department and as reported by other jurisdictions’ regulatory and/or revenue agencies.
State | Adult-Use Sales Launch | 2023 Total Sales | 2023 Monthly Sales Average | 2024 Total Sales | 2024 Sales Through | 2024 Monthly Sales Average |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Arizona | January 2021 | $1,365,973,471 | $113,831,122 | $94,633,379 | January 2024 | $94,633,379 |
California | January 2018 | $4,399,048,681 | $366,587,390 | NA | NA | NA |
Colorado | January 2014 | $1,529,324,553 | $127,443,712 | $229,790,636 | February 2024 | $114,895,318 |
Connecticut | January 2023 | $273,966,356 | $22,830,529 | $73,334,548 | March 2024 | $24,444,849 |
Illinois | January 2020 | $688,781,267 | $57,398,438 | $111,068,694 | February 2024 | $55,534,347 |
Maine | October 2020 | $216,906,065 | $18,075,505 | $54,720,330 | March 2024 | $18,240,110 |
Maryland | July 2023 | $367,158,208 | $91,789,552 | $177,056,549 | February 2024 | $88,528,274 |
Massachusetts | November 2018 | $1,792,456,363 | $149,371,363 | $441,016,625 | March 2024 | $147,005,542 |
Michigan | December 2019 | $3,057,161,286 | $254,763,440 | $503,849,084 | February 2024 | $251,924,542 |
Missouri | February 2023 | $1,338,300,000 | $111,525,000 | $347,900,000 | March 2024 | $115,966,666 |
Montana | January 2022 | $319,167,135 | $26,597,261 | $77,127,372 | March 2024 | $25,709,124 |
Nevada | July 2017 | $825,125,047 | $68,760,420 | $62,462,103 | January 2024 | $62,462,103 |
New Jersey | April 2022 | $800,279,300 | $66,689,941 | NA | NA | NA |
New Mexico | April 2022 | $557,019,800 | $46,418,316 | $146,770,352 | March 2024 | $48,923,450 |
New York | December 2022 | $154,700,000 | $12,891,666 | NA | NA | NA |
Oregon | October 2015 | $903,861,906 | $75,321,825 | $222,525,575 | March 2024 | $74,175,191 |
Rhode Island | December 2022 | $107,816,616 | $8,984,718 | $18,883,325 | February 2024 | $9,441,662 |
Vermont | October 2022 | $107,800,000 | $8,983,333 | $10,220,000 | January 2024 | $10,220,000 |
Washington | July 2014 | $1,225,938,000 | $102,161,500 | NA | NA | NA |
Geographic Location
Like many government agencies in 2024, the Commission follows a hybrid work schedule. However, the Commission’s physical headquarters are located in the City of Worcester, affectionately known as “The Heart of the Commonwealth.” Agency offices and public meeting space are conveniently available to staff and constituents on the second floor of beautiful, historic Union Station. Just one hour west of the state’s capital of Boston—where the agency also is committed to maintaining a satellite footprint —Worcester is considered Central Massachusetts’ principal and is the second largest municipality in New England.
Worcester is home to a host of regional employers, such as University of Massachusetts Memorial Health Care, Hanover Insurance Group, Saint Vincent Hospital, and Polar Beverages—along with 12 accredited colleges and universities in the surrounding area, including Clark University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester State University, College of the Holy Cross, and University of Massachusetts Medical School.
An attractive place to live on the East Coast, the City of Worcester touts its affordable housing; quality public schools; many colleges and universities; access to diverse culture, sports, restaurants and entertainment; and reliable local and regional transportation.
For some quick facts about Worcester, visit:
https://www.worcesterma.gov/quick-facts
Learn more through Discover Central Massachusetts:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqHEdRrGFik
The Position
The Executive Director (ED) will provide leadership and oversight for the strategic functioning of the Cannabis Control Commission through collaboration with the Commission and the Agency’s Executive Team (ET). The ED will have a deep understanding and knowledge of the Cannabis industry and is responsible for the overall performance and longevity of the Agency. This includes delegating and directing productivity to achieve performance goals, driving profitability, managing company organizational structure, strategy, and communicating and reporting to the Agency’s Commission.
The ED will facilitate teamwork instead of micromanaging, but bring experience in fast-paced, and sometimes stressful, work environments—and come ready to apply risk management skills. Understanding diversity, equity, and inclusion, and the importance of work/life balance, will be key to success in this role.
The ED role has both internal- and external-facing responsibilities and supports the Commission in prioritizing and accomplishing agency business including but not limited to operations, budgeting, investigations and enforcement, communications, and technology systems. Data driven, technologically savvy visionaries, and especially those with a background in regulated industries or compliance, are encouraged to apply.
Overview of Responsibilities
Strategic Support
- Collaborates with the Agency’s Commission and Senior Leadership Team to develop and implement organizational strategies.
- Conduct research and analysis to weigh in on decisions and support problem-solving.
Operational Management
- Oversees Agency operations by working closely with the Commission and Senior Leadership Team to ensure the Agency operates at an optimum level.
- Establish, benchmark, and evaluate key industry performance indicators to drive decisions that advance the organization.
Communication and Liaison
- Serve as a point of contact between the Agency’s Commission and identified internal/external stakeholders in collaboration with the Chief of Staff and Director of Government Affairs.
- Structure and facilitate internal communication flow within the organization, ensuring key messages are conveyed timely and effectively.
Leadership
- Manage and lead the Senior Leadership Team, providing appropriate guidance, mentorship, and support.
- Foster a positive and collaborative work environment.
Decision Support
- Provide analysis and recommendations to the Agency’s Commission to ensure they make informed decisions.
- Anticipate industry challenges and proactively address issues.
Policy and Process Development
- Develop and implement policies and processes to enhance organizational efficiency.
- Identify areas for improvement and innovation.
Crisis Management
- Act as a point person during crises, coordinating responses and communication.
- Ensure the organization is prepared to handle unforeseen challenges.
- Excellent communication skills: written, verbal, and interpersonal, with the cultural competency to effectively communicate with and authentically engage broad audiences.
- Experience with establishing knowledge management systems in a large, fast-moving industry.
Personal Characteristics
- Unquestionable personal integrity, fairness, and credibility are necessary to gain the trust and commitment of the Commission, leaders, and employees at all levels of the Agency.
- High level of comfort and experience navigating and implementing change.
- An in-depth understanding of work in a regulatory environment that encompasses the development, establishment, execution, and application of various federal, state, and local laws applicable to the Cannabis industry, as well as the Agency’s obligation to educate the public.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, stamina, humility, compassion, situational sensitivity, and a good sense of humor.
Qualifications
- A bachelor’s degree in public administration or business administration/management, or a related field, and three (3) to seven (7) years of relevant management experience. Cannabis industry experience or experience in a regulatory, enforcement and/or compliance environment a plus.
- In lieu of a bachelor’s degree, five (5) to 10 (ten) years of relevant management experience may be substituted. Cannabis industry experience or experience in a regulatory, enforcement and/or compliance environment a plus.
- Understanding of the Massachusetts cannabis industry, as well as knowledge of national industry development and trends.
- Experience in organizational management including fiscal management, strategic planning, and management of executive level staff. Experience as an Executive Director, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Operating Officer (COO) or other head of organization/agency head title a plus.
- Understanding the application and utilization of software and technology to develop creative solutions to effectively solve problems and advance an agency’s or organization’s agenda.
- Experience collaborating with boards, commissions and/or senior-level executives.
- Experience working in or in collaboration with a public agency or government body such as municipal, state, or federal government a plus.
Application Process and Deadline
The Commission encourages interested candidates that meet the minimum requirements for experience and skills to apply for this position. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume by email no later than June 15, 2024. The application package should be submitted to:
ExecutiveDirectorSearch@CCCMass.com
Please include the position title in the subject line: CCC – Executive Director
Submissions are due by 5:00 pm (email) on June 15, 2024, late submissions may be considered solely at the discretion of the Commission.
Executive Director Recruitment Placement Document
Executive Director Job Description
Learn more about careers through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts:
https://www.mass.gov/find-your-career-at-the-commonwealth
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The Cannabis Control Commission conducts meetings and other events to keep you informed.
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Sign up for updates from the Cannabis Control Commission.