News Summary
Staff at the New York Office of Cannabis Management have formally requested a leadership overhaul due to mismanagement and low morale. In a letter to lawmakers, they highlighted an environment of fear and possible retaliation under current leaders. The letter calls for the removal of acting Executive Director Felicia Reid and others, as well as an independent investigation into workplace culture and agency practices. Current challenges also include lawsuits and ongoing issues related to the state’s cannabis market, necessitating a strategic shift to restore employee trust and operational integrity.
New York – Staff members at the New York Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) have formally requested changes in the agency’s leadership, raising concerns about mismanagement and low morale. The call for leadership transition comes through a letter sent to lawmakers and state officials, detailing a troubling work environment for the agency’s more than 230 employees.
The letter particularly names Acting Executive Director Felicia Reid, Chief Administrative Officer Susan Filburn, and Director of Administration Amanda Wilson, recommending their removal from their current roles. Employees allege that an environment of fear and retaliation has developed within the OCM, leading to heightened feelings of anxiety and distress among staff members. Many employees feel their contributions are undervalued, suggesting that key principles of equity, justice, and transparency have been compromised under the current leadership.
Reports from staff indicate that micromanagement has replaced trust and respect for employees’ expertise, causing further erosion of morale. Some employees claim that raising questions during agency town halls has resulted in experiences of being dismissed, humiliated, or publicly shamed. In addition to the leadership changes, the letter calls for an independent investigation into workplace culture, allegations of retaliation, and the overall state of staff morale within the OCM. An audit of the agency’s hiring and promotion practices is also requested, along with the appointment of permanent leadership focused on equity, to be completed within three months.
Felicia Reid, who assumed the role of acting executive director in June 2022, has yet to be confirmed by the state Senate. She succeeded Chris Alexander following his resignation after a state report highlighted significant shortcomings in the agency’s operation, including a budget underspend of $26 million. Governor Kathy Hochul’s spokesperson noted that the OCM was once in disarray, with delayed licensing and an influx of illegal shops, indicating a shift was necessary for progress.
With the transition in leadership and recent events, insiders suggest that there is considerable support among staff for the claims made in the letter. Previous leadership under Alexander and former Chief Equity Officer Damien Fagon was characterized by a commitment to prioritizing equity in the burgeoning marijuana industry—a commitment that many employees feel has since waned.
Moreover, the agency’s internal communication appears to have deteriorated, contributing to uncertainty around its mission and objectives. This lack of clarity continues to affect employee engagement and operational effectiveness.
The agency currently faces various challenges, such as ongoing lawsuits regarding the approval of marijuana dispensaries. This tumultuous period coincides with the New York cannabis market’s attempts to address voids left by the illegal market, which has prompted OCM to perform over 1,200 inspections and seize illicit products valued at more than $67 million.
State regulators are also exploring a potential cap of 1,600 adult-use marijuana retailer licenses. This measure aims to mitigate the risk of market oversaturation and safeguard the interests of existing operators amid a rapidly evolving industry landscape.
The situation at OCM serves as an important case study on leadership effectiveness and employee morale in a critical period for New York’s cannabis industry. The outcomes of the requests from staff, along with the impact of ongoing legal challenges and market conditions, will shape the future direction of the office and its priorities.
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Additional Resources
- Crain’s New York: NY Office of Cannabis Management Staff Plead for New Leaders
- Wikipedia: Cannabis in New York
- The New York Times: New York Weed Marijuana Investigations
- Google Search: New York cannabis laws
- LoHud: Marijuana Dispensary Owners Sue NY Cannabis Regulators
- Google Scholar: New York cannabis lawsuit
- MJBizDaily: NY Cannabis Advisory Board Suggests Cap on Adult Use Retail Licenses
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Marijuana
- New York Post: Medical Pot Pioneer Rips Hochul NY Regulators
- Google News: New York cannabis industry
Author: STAFF HERE NEW YORK WRITER
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