Governor Appoints Anti-Cannabis Police Chief to Help Oversee Cannabis Program

Last Friday, Gov. Charlie Baker appointed five people to Massachusetts’ Cannabis Advisory Board including Walpole Police Chief John Carmichael Jr., who has a long history of anti-cannabis views. The Cannabis Advisory Board will play a heavy role in the draft rules and policies for recreational cannabis in Massachusetts. Cannabis advocates are now questioning whether the move is an attempt to hijack the will of Massachusetts voters.

The Cannabis Advisory Board will recommend rules and policies to the Cannabis Control Commission that will regulate recreational cannabis in Massachusetts.

Carmichael is accused of appearing at an anti-cannabis legalization event on June 23 while on the clock as a public servant. The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol accused the police chief of breaking the rules, and his appearance caused a wave of protests. In 2012, the police chief said that dispensaries are nothing more than “fronts for illegal distribution and money-laundering.” Gov. Baker also opposed the legalization of cannabis, which brings up questions about the decision to appoint Carmichael.

But with the job on the Cannabis Advisory Board on the horizon, Carmichael is softening his tone on cannabis. “Now is the time for me to reserve my own personal opinions and focus on providing thoughtful, sound recommendations,” Carmichael told the Boston Globe. “I’ll try to limit my role to what I know the most about, which is the public safety side of things. There’s a lot we can do to make sure we’re preventing youth access and diversion.”

Last year, Gov. Baker, Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh, and House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo launched a campaign against cannabis legalization in vain. But cannabis sales can also be controlled through regulation.

The state will eventually fill the Cannabis Advisory Board with 25 unpaid positions. Although the board has no legislative authority, they will heavily influence the way Massachusetts lawmakers decide to regulate cannabis.