ALBANY, N.Y. \u2014 Gov. Kathy Hochul has appointed John Kagia as the acting executive director of New York State\u2019s Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). <\/p>\n
RELATED: New cannabis store set to come to Eastview Mall, approved Tuesday night<\/a><\/p>\n Kagia previously served as the director of policy at OCM. This appointment follows Hochul\u2019s reported push for the resignations of former Executive Director Felicia Reid and Deputy Counsel James Rodgers in December. <\/p>\n \u201cJohn Kagia holds several years of experience in both the public and private sectors and will be able to lead the OCM efficiently, while delivering for New Yorkers across the state,\u201d\u00a0Governor Hochul said.<\/p>\n Office of Cannabis Management Acting Executive Director John Kagia said,\u00a0\u201cIt is an extraordinary privilege to lead this program at this pivotal moment for our cannabis industry. New York has built the most exciting, equitable, innovative, and opportunity-rich cannabis market in the world, and I look forward to working with the Governor, the incredible staff at the Office, and with all our stakeholders to continue to grow our industry.\u201d<\/p>\n New York\u2019s legal cannabis rollout has faced challenges, including significant turnover in leadership.<\/p>\n For more information on the appointment of John Kagia, visit the governor\u2019s website here. <\/a><\/p>\n