Vermont Cannabis Control Board Announces Advisory Committee Members
MONTPELIER — The Cannabis Control Board has officially seated its full, fourteen-member advisory committee. The advisory committee, as established by Act 164 (2020) and amended by Act 62 (2021), was created to assist the Cannabis Control Board’s mission to safely, equitably, and effectively implement and administer the laws enabling adult and medical use of cannabis in Vermont.
The members come from varied backgrounds and bring their own expertise to the Committee in the areas of social justice, public health, public safety, criminal justice reform, business, medical cannabis, municipal law, and regulatory issues. Their diverse perspectives will support the Board’s work as it begins the process of building a legal cannabis marketplace in Vermont.
“The mission of the Cannabis Control Board is monumental in scope,” said executive director Brynn Hare. “The support of our Advisory Committee will be critical to our success in achieving that mission. We are incredibly fortunate to have such a dynamic and dedicated slate of advisors to guide our work.”
Members, their current employers outside of the committee, and their position as laid out by statute may be found below. The committee will convene a maximum of six times in a calendar year and will meet for the first time on Wednesday, August 18 – agenda to be announced.
Board Members and Statutory Positions (7 V.S.A. § 843(h))
- (A) one member with an expertise in public health appointed by the Governor
- Shayla Livingston, Director of Policy, Department of Mental Health
- (B) the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets or designee
- Stephanie Smith, Cannabis Quality Control Policy Administrator, VAAFM
- (C) one member with an expertise in laboratory science or toxicology appointed by the Governor
- Kim Watson, Quality Assurance Manager, Stone Environmental (ret.)
- (D) one member with an expertise in systemic social justice and equity issues appointed by the Speaker of the House
- Nader Hasim, Paralegal & Investigator, Chadwick & Spensley, PLLC
- (E) one member with an expertise in women- and minority-owned business ownership appointed by the Speaker of the House
- Ashley Reynolds, President and Co-Founder, Elmore Mountain Therapeutics
- (F) the Chair of the Substance Misuse Prevention Oversight and Advisory Council or designee
- Mark Levine, Commissioner, Department of Health
- (G) one member with an expertise in the cannabis industry appointed by the Senate Committee on Committees
- Christopher Walsh, Director of Sales and Business Development, Terra Vera
- (H) one member with an expertise in business management or regulatory compliance appointed by the Treasurer
- Sivan Cotel, Chairman, Board of Directors, UVM Health Network – Porter Medical Center
- (I) one member with an expertise in municipal issues appointed by the Senate Committee on Committees
- Tim Wessel, Member and former Chair, Brattleboro Selectboard
- (J) one member with an expertise in public safety appointed by the Attorney General
- Ingrid Jonas, Major, Vermont State Police (ret.)
- (K) one member with an expertise in criminal justice reform appointed by the Attorney General
- David Scherr, Co-Chair, Office of the Attorney General, Community Justice Division
- (L) the Secretary of Natural Resources or designee
- Billy Coster, Director of Planning, Agency of Natural Resources
- (M) the Chair of the Cannabis for Symptom Relief Oversight Committee or designee
- Jim Romanoff, Chair, Cannabis for Symptom Relief Oversight Committee
- (N) one member appointed by the Vermont Cannabis Trade Association
- Meg D’Elia, Corporate Project Manager, CeresMED
Press Release Source: Vermont Cannabis Control Board