Politics Former Bain Executive to Lead Massachusetts Cannabis Regulatory Agency The Associated Press August 31, 2017 Historic Acorn Street at Boston

BOSTON (AP) — State Treasurer Deb Goldberg has named a former business executive to serve as chairman of the Cannabis Control Commission, the agency that will regulate marijuana in Massachusetts.

Once in place, the panel will face a number of challenges including a limited budget and an ambitious timetable.

Goldberg announced the appointment of Steven Hoffman on Thursday. Hoffman is a former partner at Bain and Co., where he headed the firm’s Boston office.

He is the second person appointed to the five-member commission, which under law is supposed to be in place by Friday.

The only other member chosen so far is outgoing Democratic state Sen. Jennifer Flanagan, who was named last week by Republican Gov. Charlie Baker.

Attorney General Maura Healey also will make a unilateral appointment to the commission.

The final two members of the panel will be chosen by mutual agreement of Baker, Goldberg and Healey.

Once in place, the panel will face a number of challenges including a limited budget and an ambitious timetable as it works to implement the voter-approved law — later revised by the Legislature — that allows for adult use of recreational marijuana.

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