Movers & Shakers: NM Regulator Resigns & Other Key Executive Moves To Know About

As the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference returns to Miami (April 11-12), gathering top CEOs, investors and leaders in the marijuana industry, let's scroll through the latest leadership changes in the space.

Acting Director of the NM Cannabis Control Division Resigns

Andrew Vallejos, an acting director for New Mexico Cannabis Control Division and a director for the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division, sent a resignation letter last week to Teresa Casados, chief operating officer for the governor's office.

Vallejos is stepping down as state cannabis director on Friday, March 31, reported Albuquerque Journal. RLD Superintendent Linda Trujillo agreed to take over as interim director of both CCD and the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division.

"We thank Director Vallejos for his service and commitment to the Regulation and Licensing Department and to the State of New Mexico," Geiger said in a statement. "We wish him success in his future endeavors."

Columbia Care, Schwazze & Rubicon Strengthen Board

Columbia Care Inc. CCHW CCHW CCHWF 3LP announced earlier this month the transition of Michael Abbott, the company's co-founder, from executive chairman to chairman of the board of directors.

Michael Abbott co-founded the New York-based company with CEO Nicholas Vita in 2012 and helped build it into one of the largest multi-state medical and adult-use cannabis providers nationwide. Abbott will remain integrally involved in company oversight and governance in his new position.

Medicine Man Technologies Inc., operating as Schwazze SHWZ SHWZ, has welcomed Bradley Stewart to serve on its board of directors. The Denver-based company also said that Sal Wahdan opted to resign as a director.

Stewart is a senior advisor at Sixth Street, chairman at Perch, and independent board member at Private Medical and Semper Paratus LGSTU.

Rubicon Organics Inc. ROMJ ROMJF has recently tapped Michael Detlefsen, the managing director of Pomegranate Capital Advisors, to serve on its board of directors, while announcing the anticipated nomination of Doris Bitz, Len Boggio, Ian Gordon and Karen Proud to stand for election at the next annual general meeting.

Global Hemp Group Taps New Leader Of Advisory Board

Global Hemp Group Inc. GHG GBHPF GHG recently appointed Herbert Fritsche to the company's advisory board as its chief scientific advisor.

Fritsche is a clinical chemist and former professor of laboratory medicine and chief of the clinical chemistry section at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center for 41 years.

He served as an invited consultant/advisor to the Food and Drug Administration, the National Cancer Institute, the Laboratory Practice Guidelines Committee for the National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry, the Editorial Board of six international scientific journals, and as a consultant to many major international diagnostic companies.

"As GHG's CSA, Dr. Fritsche will be leading all scientific aspects of GHG's global licensing program for the intellectual property portfolio GHG recently licensed from Apollon," Stephen D. Barnhill, Jr., CEO of Global Hemp Group, said.

Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference

The most successful cannabis business event in the world, the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference, returns to Miami for its 16th edition.
This is the place where DEALS GET DONE, where money is raised, M&A starts, and companies meet investors and key partners. Join us at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach Hotel in Florida on April 11-12. Don’t miss out. Secure your tickets now. Prices will surge very soon.

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