Anonymous letter voices concern with top state cannabis regulators

A letter claiming to be from the “concerned staff” at the state cannabis regulator is urging an internal leadership change.

The unsigned letter, which began circulating widely among cannabis stakeholders on Wednesday, expresses alarm at the direction of the state Office of Cannabis Management under the direction of acting Executive Director Felicia Reid, Chief Administrative Officer Susan Filburn, and Director of Administration Amanda Wilson.

“An environment of fear and retaliation has taken hold. Morale is at an all-time low. Staff who question decisions or advocate for transparency face professional consequences,” reads the letter, which is posted below.

The letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul staffer Chelsea Davis, Senators Liz Krueger and Jeremy Cooney, and Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes argues that the agency is in crisis and has lost its focus on the goals of the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act of 2021. “We cannot fulfill the MRTA’s promise while continuing to hire individuals who uphold the very systems and stigmas that the cannabis law and agency was created to break down, change and challenge,” reads the letter.

In the spring of 2024, at the direction of Hochul, Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy did a review of OCM, which contributed to the ouster of their executive director, Chris Alexander. Hochul tapped Reid, who moved over from the state Office of Children & Family Services, to serve as his successor.

In addition to calling for the removal of Reid, Filburn, and Wilson, the letter urges an independent investigation into the OCM, an audit of hiring and promotion practices, and the appointment of “permanent, equity-driven executive leadership with in the next 90 days.”

In response to the letter, Cooney, who leads a subcommittee on cannabis, noted the “significant operational improvement” at OCM under the direction of Reid. This sentiment is shared by a number of cannabis stakeholders, who felt the leadership change last year long overdue.

“That said, I take seriously the letter written by state employees of the OCM, detailing allegations of a negative workplace within the agency,” Cooney said in a statement. “I find the claims in the letter concerning and will closely monitor any steps taken by the Governor and the Office of General Services to review current agency culture. We deeply value the public service of all of our state employees.”

A spokesperson for the governor described the OCM has being in disarray before the “much-needed reset” that was instituted last year. “We appreciate and consider feedback from all administration employees and outside stakeholders, and OCM will continue down this new path with responsible, steady leadership to grow our legal cannabis market and shut down illegal shops,” the Hochul spokesperson said.

The OCM communications team declined to comment on the letter.

This year’s state budget included language that strips the salary of the state Cannabis Control Board Chair. This post has been filled since its creation by former Assemblywoman Tremaine Wright.

Letter to OCM leadership from staff by Capitol Pressroom on Scribd