Advertisement

Header Utility Menu

  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Events

LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Instagram Get Our App

  • Login

Virginia Business

Mobile Menu

  • Issues
  • Industries
    • Banking/Finances
    • Business Law
    • Commercial Real Estate
    • Economic Development
    • Education
    • Energy/Green
    • Federal Contracting
    • Government
    • Healthcare
    • Hotels/Tourism
    • Insurance
    • Ports/Trade
    • Small Business
    • Technology
    • Transportation
  • Regions
    • Central Virginia
    • Eastern Virginia
    • Northern Virginia
    • Roanoke/New River Valley
    • Shenandoah Valley
    • Southern Virginia
    • Southwest Virginia
  • Reports
    • Best Places to Work
    • Business Person of the Year
    • CEO Pay
    • Coronavirus 2020
    • Generous Virginians Project
    • Legal Elite
    • Most Influential Virginians
    • Maritime Guide
    • Site Locator
    • The Big Book
    • Virginia CFO Awards
  • Company News
    • For the Record
    • People
  • Opinion
  • Lists
  • Awards/Events
    • Diversity Leadership Series
    • Vote Now for Women in Leadership
    • Virginia 500
    • Legal Elite
    • CFO Awards
    • Big Book of Lists
    • 100 People To Meet
    • Best Places To Work
  • Virginia 500
    • Read the issue
    • Order a copy
    • Buy an award plaque
    • Nominate execs for 2021

Advertisement

Header Primary Menu

  • virginiabusiness.com
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Home News Industries Government Northam appoints members to newly created cannabis boards

Northam appoints members to newly created cannabis boards

Boards will regulate cannabis market and manage equity fund

Published July 19, 2021 by Katherine Schulte

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam has appointed members to three newly created oversight boards for the legalization of recreational marijuana, his office announced today.

On July 1, Virginia’s adult-use cannabis legislation changes began going into effect. This year, the General Assembly legalized possession of up to one ounce in public and home cultivation of up to four plants per household for people ages 21 and over and created a new state entity to regulate retail marijuana sales, which are expected to begin in 2024, pending further regulatory approval from the General Assembly.

“There is a tremendous amount of work ahead to establish an adult-use marijuana market in our commonwealth, and I am proud to appoint these talented Virginians who will bring diverse backgrounds, an incredible depth of expertise and a shared commitment to public service to this important effort,” Northam said in a statement.

The first agency, the Cannabis Control Authority, will have a five-member board of directors responsible for regulating the sale, transportation and distribution of marijuana and marijuana products in Virginia.

The five directors appointed are:

  • Neil Amin, CEO, Shamin Hotels, Chester
  • Michael Jerome Massie, owner, Michael Jerome Massie PC, Portsmouth
  • Bette Brand, CEO, Strategic Consulting LLC, Roanoke
  • Rasheeda N. Creighton, co-founder, The Jackson Ward Collective, Richmond
  • Shane Emmett, co-founder and former CEO, Health Warrior, Midlothian

The second board, the Cannabis Equity Reinvestment Board, will manage the Cannabis Equity Reinvestment Fund, which will come from 30% of tax revenue from cannabis sales. It will be used to provide resources to communities that have experienced disproportionate enforcement of drug laws and economic disinvestment, according to the governor’s statement. The governor appointed five members to the equity fund’s board, and the General Assembly will appoint eight more. The board also has seven ex-officio members.

The governor’s appointments are:

  • Jorge Figueredo, executive director, Edu-Futuro, Arlington
  • Amari Harris, equity, diversity and inclusion attorney, Virginia Indigent Defense Commission, Richmond
  • Anthony West, chief operating officer, Virginia Community Action Re-Entry System (CARES), Roanoke
  • Sheba Williams, executive director, Nolef Turns Inc., Richmond
  • Vickie R. Williams-Cullins, executive director, OPN-Door Communications LLC, Hampton

The Cannabis Public Health Advisory Council will advise the Cannabis Control Authority’s board of directors. The governor appointed four members, and the General Assembly will appoint 10 more. The council also has seven ex-officio members.

The governor appointed:

  • Ngiste Abebe, vice president of public policy, Columbia Care, Richmond
  • Larry Keen II, associate professor of psychology, Virginia State University, Petersburg
  • Cynthia Morrow, director, Roanoke city and Alleghany County health districts, Roanoke
  • Marcus Treiber, CEO, EMT Holdings LLC, Leesburg
Subscribe to Virginia Business. Get our daily e-newsletter.

Related Stories

Del. Luke Torian will lead the newly organized Virginia Minority Business Commission.

Northam seeks to include part-time workers in state IRA fund

Other bills expanding rail service, broadband and alcohol service signed into law

Barriers were erected at the Virginia State Capitol the week before an anticipated pro-gun rights rally Jan. 20.

Court upholds Northam’s firearms ban for Capitol rally

Jan. 20 gun-rights rally expected to draw tens of thousands of protesters

Virginia Business logo

“Port host communities” receive revitalization funds

Port Host Communities Revitalization Funds will assist projects in Newport News, Norfolk and Portsmouth.

Trending

Finance/Insurance: STEPHAN Q. CASSADAY

Finance/Insurance: PAUL B. MANNING

Federal Contractors/Technology: JASON PROVIDAKES

Education: ANNE M. KRESS

Artemis I to launch with help from Va. contractors

Sponsored Stories

Why is my Less Than Truckload (LTL) freight pricing going up and my service level going down?  

Beyond Juneteenth – How Capital One is Commemorating and Implementing Change

How We Help Your Business Operate Better

Before the Breach: Get Serious About Cyber Resilience

Professionals are Discovering What it Means to Live Uniquely in the Alleghany Highlands of Virginia

Riverside Logistics Celebrates 25th Anniversary!

Girls for a Change Empowers Black Youth for the Future Workforce

The Jackson Ward Collective is equipping Black-owned small businesses with the tools for success

Advertisement

Advertisement

Trending

Finance/Insurance: STEPHAN Q. CASSADAY

Finance/Insurance: PAUL B. MANNING

Federal Contractors/Technology: JASON PROVIDAKES

Education: ANNE M. KRESS

Artemis I to launch with help from Va. contractors

Sponsored Stories

Why is my Less Than Truckload (LTL) freight pricing going up and my service level going down?  

Beyond Juneteenth – How Capital One is Commemorating and Implementing Change

How We Help Your Business Operate Better

Before the Breach: Get Serious About Cyber Resilience

Professionals are Discovering What it Means to Live Uniquely in the Alleghany Highlands of Virginia

Riverside Logistics Celebrates 25th Anniversary!

Girls for a Change Empowers Black Youth for the Future Workforce

The Jackson Ward Collective is equipping Black-owned small businesses with the tools for success

Get Virginia Business directly on your tablet or in your mailbox!

Subscribe to Virginia Business

Advertisement

Advertisement

Footer Primary Menu

  • virginiabusiness.com
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Footer Secondary Menu

  • Industries
  • Regions
  • Reports
  • Company News
  • Events

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

Sign Up

LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Instagram Get Our App

Privacy Policy Cookie Policy

Footer Utility Menu

Copyright © 2023 Virginia Business. All rights reserved.

Site Maintained by TechArk