Top Cannabis Official In Massachusetts Takes On State Treasurer, Challenges 'Unlawful Suspension'

Shannon O'Brien, the ex-official responsible for overseeing cannabis operations in Massachusetts, filed a lawsuit against State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg on Thursday.

Why?

O'Brien claims that suspending her position as the chief of the state Cannabis Control Commission was unlawful.

The lawsuit filed this week in Suffolk Superior Court alleges that Goldberg "willfully side-stepped both Massachusetts law and any process at all" by suspending O'Brien, reported GBH News.

Goldberg did not disclose reasons for the suspension at the time, which included restrictions on entering CCC offices or performing commission-related work.

On Thursday, the state treasurer clarified that "several serious allegations were made by a Commissioner and CCC staff about the Chair's behavior" after all and that "the CCC initiated an investigation, hiring an outside law firm."

"The law firm undertook an investigation and has returned with a report," Goldberg continued. "According to the CCC's employee handbook, suspension with pay is the only allowable remedy at this point, as the findings are being reviewed and action is considered."

State law allows the treasurer to remove a commissioner for various reasons, but the law does not directly address commissioner suspensions.

The lawsuit seeks a reinstatement of O'Brien as the CCC chairwoman, a position she was appointed to for a five-year term in August.

O'Brien's tenure as CCC chair faced challenges, including issues related to her previous ownership stake in a cultivation company and controversy over the executive director's departure announcement, reported WBUR.

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