Gov. Healey cites 'concerns' about troubles at the embattled cannabis commission

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said she has "concerns" about the state Cannabis Control Commission's recent move to strip its acting executive director of day-to-day oversight.

In response to an inquiry from WBUR, the Healey administration commented publicly for the first time on the recent turmoil at the agency, which includes high-level suspensions, allegations of a toxic work environment and a call by the inspector general for a special receiver to manage the agency tasked with overseeing the state's now $7 billion marijuana industry.

"The Cannabis Control Commission has an important role to play in this emerging industry, and the Governor shares the concerns that have been raised about the ongoing situation," Healey press secretary Karissa Hand said in a statement. "We are prepared to work with the Legislature and fellow appointing authorities on the path forward."

Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro on Tuesday asked the Legislature to appoint a receiver to take over the "rudderless agency."

"Immediate action must be taken to prevent the further waste and uncertainty," he said.

A spokesperson for House Speaker Ron Mariano said he was reviewing the inspector general's letter; a representative for Senate President Karen Spilka declined to comment.

The Cannabis Control Commission's acting chair, Ava Callender Concepcion, fired back in a letter to lawmakers Thursday, calling the inspector general's request "ill-advised."

"I have significant concerns with both the process the [Office of the Inspector General] has engaged in, and the substance of the directive itself," Concepcion wrote.

Concepcion argued the inspector general does not have statutory authority over the independent commission. She also defended the decision to delegate authority away from Acting Executive Director Debbie Hilton-Creek, saying she needed to prioritize her role as head of human resources to fill more than 20 vacancies and address internal personnel issues.

"The challenges at the Commission are far from secret," she wrote. "We are committed to resolving them."

Concepcion and her fellow commissioners voted 3-1 earlier this month to re-define Hilton-Creek's role. Commissioner Kimberly Roy, the sole "no" vote, called the move a "violation of the law" and an "abuse of power."

The commission is still down one member after the state treasurer suspended its chair, Shannon O'Brien, last year amid allegations she made racially insensitive remarks and mistreated an employee.

Despite all this, Concepcion argues the commission's current leadership is capable of handling the growing list of controversies.

"I think it's clear to anyone that the industry continues to thrive, it continues to do well, we've been effective in our regulation," she said in an interview Friday with WBUR. But "we need to focus on the internal work."