BOSTON — Holliston Town Administrator Travis Ahern has agreed to become executive director at the Cannabis Control Commission during a time of significant changes in the maturing industry.
Monday night's announcement came less than a week after commissioners voted 4-0 to extend an offer to Ahern, who was the de facto runner-up in the prolonged search to fill the vacancy at the CCC's administrative head. Commissioners originally chose David Lakeman for the job, but he ultimately declined the offer to remain Illinois' top cannabis regulator.
Ahern has been Holliston's town administrator since July 2020. He previously worked as finance director for Danvers; financial analyst for Weston; and in policy and finance roles (including director) at the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority Advisory Board.
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The CCC's inaugural executive director, Shawn Collins, resigned in late 2023. Chief People Officer Debra Hilton-Creek has served as acting executive director in the meantime.
"I am confident (Ahern) 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," CCC 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 told commissioners he wanted to give town three months' notice
Ahern's start date is "potentially slated for March 3, 2025," the CCC said in its announcement. During his October interview, Ahern told commissioners he was in the second year of a three-year contract with Holliston and that he is supposed to provide notice three months in advance of leaving for another job.
"I share that only to say that is a courtesy that I would extend to my (select) board," he said at the time. "It is most likely not legally binding if I were to leave for the state. However, because I respect my board, my board has been very good to me, I would extend them that courtesy."
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He will take over "as the agency prepares to enter the next phase of regulating Massachusetts' $8 billion regulated cannabis industry," the CCC said, and as regulators are in the midst of launching on-site cannabis consumption sites and preparing for potential shifts in federal cannabis policy.
Lawmakers seek clarity in CCC's structure, accountability
And 2025 could also bring about changes at the state level, as lawmakers and government watchdogs seek to steady the ship. Amid the slew of controversies at the CCC since 2023, a key House lawmaker said this summer his committee "recognizes the need for clarity in structure and accountability at the Cannabis Control Commission" and "foresees a legislative path forward addressing the sources of concerns about the CCC's administrative function."
"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 in a statement.
He said he views the 2022 marijuana law "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," he said.