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New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Friday afternoon that the executive director of the state’s embattled Office of Cannabis Management will step down at the end of his term in September.
The office’s chief equity officer, who is under investigation because of a retaliation allegation, also will be removed from the agency after an investigation concludes, multiple sources confirmed to Spectrum News.
The embattled office that is in charge of issuing marijuana dispensary licenses, among other cannabis-related oversight, was under a review from the state Office of General Services as the agency faced criticism over the troubled launch of legal sales and a sloth-like timeline to approve licenses.
Executive Director Chris Alexander will not be reappointed come this September, Hochul said.
Chief Equity Officer Damian Fagon, who was placed on administrative leave earlier this year, is expected to be removed from the agency, the sources said.
Clarification: A previous headline on this story said two leaders of the agency were to be removed, however, sources tell Spectrum News that Fagon is expected to be removed following the investigation.
Cannabis agency chief out amid shakeup at embattled agency, Hochul says – Spectrum News
