The man who presided over the turbulent launch of Maryland’s medical marijuana industry resigned Thursday.
Patrick Jameson, a former state trooper who took over as executive director of the Medical Cannabis Commission in April 2016, will stay in his job until the end of the month.
Jameson said in a statement that “the time has come for me to pursue other interests.” He did not respond to a request for further comment.
He is the second executive director to resign from the commission in as many years. Despite being legalized in 2013, the medical marijuana industry has been slow to get off the ground.
He took over the commission while it was reviewing more than 1,000 applications to obtain one of the potentially lucrative licenses to grow, process or dispense the drug. The process by which the commission picked winners has been subject to racially charged controversy, under scrutiny by state lawmakers and picked apart in two continuing lawsuits.
This summer, Gov. Larry Hogan replaced 10 of the 16 members of the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission and named a new chairman.
Chairman Brian Lopez said he wished Jameson well and that the commission had been pleased by his work. Commissioners did not request Jameson’s resignation, Lopez said.
Lopez said inspectors are reviewing the final stage of approval for 40 of the more than 100 dispensaries selected to launch the industry. He added that, “we believe that the tone of the commission is changing.”
Jake Van Wingerden, owner of marijuana grower SunMed Growers and chairman of a trade group representing Maryland marijuana wholesalers, released a statement wishing Jameson well. Van Wingerden said the businesses hope to get the drug into the hands of patients as soon as possible.
In his statement, Jameson said that “it has been an honor to help sick people and launch a new lucrative industry in Maryland.”
credit:baltimoresun.com
