La Mota Attorney Resigns From Oregon Cannabis Association, Four New CEOs & More Industry Appointments

La Mota's Attorney Resigns From Oregon Cannabis Association 

Amy Margolis, attorney for the La Mota dispensary chain whose owners are under scrutiny from multiple state agencies, is taking a hiatus from her position as executive director of the Oregon Cannabis Association amid the public scandal related to former Secretary of State Shemia Fagan (D).  

Fagan resigned from her post after it was discovered she had taken a consulting job with an affiliate of the troubled cannabis dispensary chain. To avoid any "conflict of interest," Margolis decided to step back, Hunter Neubauer, OCA board president and interim executive director told Willamette Week.

Margolis said she looks "forward to being able to return as director and support the ongoing work of the association and the cannabis space as it moves through these challenging and unprecedented times."

NY Senate Subcommittee On Cannabis Welcomes Sen. Mannion

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins recently tapped New York Sen. John Mannion to serve on the new State Senate Subcommittee on Cannabis, reported CNY Central.

The committee was formed last month to "provide an outlet for entrepreneurs, advocates, industry and citizens with interest in the new marketplace."

Stewart-Cousins also appointed State Senator Jeremy Cooney (D-Rochester) to chair the subcommittee.

Drippy Bolsters Creative Team By Joining Grammy Award-Winning Director

Cannabis-infused beverage brand Drippy Enterprises announced that music video director Damien Sandoval has joined the team as a creative advisor and partnerships director.

The award-winning filmmaker and 1x Grammy Award-winning director from Los Angeles. Drippy co-founder, Ryan Lange said they're "excited to have Damien's expertise and talent on board."

"My passion for pushing boundaries and telling meaningful stories is what drew me to the Drippy brand and team," Sandoval said. "The synergy between Drippy as an innovative leader in the space and my desire to tell authentic stories has me excited to dive in as their Creative Advisor."

Canada House Cannabis Group Names Interim CEO

Canada House Cannabis Group CHV said Tuesday that CEO Chris Churchill-Smith opted to part ways with the company.

The Montreal-based company appointed Alex Kroon, its current president of medical, as interim CEO.

Dennis Moir, chairman of the board of directors of Canada House said Churchill-Smith was "instrumental in building a fundamentally sound business that in its most recent quarter achieved cash flow positive results."

Würk Names New CEO

Würk, a company focused on human capital management for the cannabis industry, has named Deborah Saneman as its new CEO, replacing Scott Kenyon, who will remain in the company as executive chairman.

Saneman has served as the company's COO for nearly two years. Prior to joining the Denver-based company, she spent two decades in financial services, consulting and payroll, even serving as president of the Independent Payroll Providers Association.

"Würk is an essential tool for the cannabis industry, setting up a solid foundation on which companies in all sectors can grow and thrive," Saneman said.

Ascend Wellness Shakes Up Management Team, Enters Next Phase Of Growth Story

Ascend Wellness Holdings, Inc. AAWH AAWH appointed John Hartmann as the company's new CEO.

Hartmann has vast knowledge in leadership, strategy, and operations, having held several leadership positions throughout his career, including serving as president of BuyBuy Baby and CEO of True Value Company, as well as an independent director of the board for Boyd Group Services, Inc BYD and HD Supply, Inc, a subsidiary of The Home Depot.

As it enters "the next phase of its growth story," the New York-based company also made changes to the board of directors by welcoming Sam Brill alongside Hartmann as an independent director. Brill will also serve as the lead Independent director and chair of the Compensation Committee.

Other leadership position changes include:

• Audit Committee members Scott Swid, Josh Gold, and Abner Kurtin;
• Compensation and Governance Committee members Sam Brill (as chair), Josh Gold, and Abner Kurtin;
• Dan Neville, previously director, CFO and interim co-CEO, will return to his original position as CFO and step down from the board;
• Frank Perullo, a co-founder, who previously served as president and interim co-CEO, will continue to serve on the board and will transition to a strategic advisor role for the company;
• Chris Melillo, CRO and the company have mutually decided to part ways.

Shiny Health Names New CEO

Cannabis brand Shiny Health & Wellness Corp. SNYB promoted Michael Nadeau as CEO. The company simultaneously announced the retirement of Kevin Reed who served as CEO and executive chairman.

Nadeau brings over three decades of QSR, retail and franchising experience. He held executive positions with companies behind of Canada's most iconic brands, including over 18 years with Tim Hortons as vice president of Eastern Canada.

Acreage Holdings CFO Resigns

Acreage Holdings, Inc. ACRDF said earlier this week that Steve Goertz resigned as CFO.

The New York-based company has initiated a search process to fill the role of head of the finance department as it progresses toward completing its previously announced arrangement involving Canopy Growth Corporation WEED CGC and Canopy USA, LLC.

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