Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
The man who presided over the turbulent launch of Maryland's medical marijuana industry resigned Thursday.
Patrick Jameson, a former state trooper who took over as executive director of the Medical Cannabis Commission in April 2016, will stay in his job until the end of the month.
Jameson said in a statement that "the time has come for me to pursue other interests." He did not respond to a request for further comment.
He is the second executive director to resign from the commission in as many years. Despite being legalized in 2013, the medical marijuana industry has been slow to get off the ground.
Jameson's departure will come days before a Dec. 8 deadline for dispensaries to gain approval to open. More than 95 dispensaries must be operating by that date or they could lose their opportunity to launch their businesses.
He took over the commission while it was reviewing more than 1,000 applications to obtain one of the potentially lucrative licenses to grow, process or dispense the drug. The process by which the commission picked winners has been subject to racially charged controversy, under scrutiny by state lawmakers and picked apart in two continuing lawsuits.
This summer, Gov. Larry Hogan replaced 10 of the 16 members of the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission and named a new chairman.
Chairman Brian Lopez said he wished Jameson well and that the commission had been pleased by his work. Commissioners did not request Jameson's resignation, Lopez said.
"We think he worked very hard, and we think he did some very good things with the commission to make it more efficient," Lopez said.
Lopez said inspectors are reviewing the final stage of approval for 40 of the more than 100 dispensaries selected to launch the industry. He added that, "we believe that the tone of the commission is changing."
Jake Van Wingerden, owner of marijuana grower SunMed Growers and chairman of a trade group representing Maryland marijuana wholesalers, released a statement wishing Jameson well. Van Wingerden said the businesses hope to get the drug into the hands of patients as soon as possible.
In his statement, Jameson said that "it has been an honor to help sick people and launch a new lucrative industry in Maryland."
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Medical marijuana director resigns, the second in two years - Baltimore Sun
Author: Erin Cox
Contact: Customer service - Baltimore Sun
Photo Credit: William Archie
Website: Baltimore Sun: Baltimore breaking news, sports, business, entertainment, weather and traffic
Patrick Jameson, a former state trooper who took over as executive director of the Medical Cannabis Commission in April 2016, will stay in his job until the end of the month.
Jameson said in a statement that "the time has come for me to pursue other interests." He did not respond to a request for further comment.
He is the second executive director to resign from the commission in as many years. Despite being legalized in 2013, the medical marijuana industry has been slow to get off the ground.
Jameson's departure will come days before a Dec. 8 deadline for dispensaries to gain approval to open. More than 95 dispensaries must be operating by that date or they could lose their opportunity to launch their businesses.
He took over the commission while it was reviewing more than 1,000 applications to obtain one of the potentially lucrative licenses to grow, process or dispense the drug. The process by which the commission picked winners has been subject to racially charged controversy, under scrutiny by state lawmakers and picked apart in two continuing lawsuits.
This summer, Gov. Larry Hogan replaced 10 of the 16 members of the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission and named a new chairman.
Chairman Brian Lopez said he wished Jameson well and that the commission had been pleased by his work. Commissioners did not request Jameson's resignation, Lopez said.
"We think he worked very hard, and we think he did some very good things with the commission to make it more efficient," Lopez said.
Lopez said inspectors are reviewing the final stage of approval for 40 of the more than 100 dispensaries selected to launch the industry. He added that, "we believe that the tone of the commission is changing."
Jake Van Wingerden, owner of marijuana grower SunMed Growers and chairman of a trade group representing Maryland marijuana wholesalers, released a statement wishing Jameson well. Van Wingerden said the businesses hope to get the drug into the hands of patients as soon as possible.
In his statement, Jameson said that "it has been an honor to help sick people and launch a new lucrative industry in Maryland."
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Medical marijuana director resigns, the second in two years - Baltimore Sun
Author: Erin Cox
Contact: Customer service - Baltimore Sun
Photo Credit: William Archie
Website: Baltimore Sun: Baltimore breaking news, sports, business, entertainment, weather and traffic
