Shannon O’Brien fired as state’s top cannabis regulator, ending year-long suspension and months of uncertainty

State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg on Monday fired the state’s top cannabis regulator, formally removing Shannon O’Brien from her post a year after first suspending her and following months of upheaval at the agency.

In a statement, Goldberg said O’Brien “committed gross misconduct” and “demonstrated she is unable to discharge the powers and duties” of a member of the state’s five-person Cannabis Control Commission. The third-term Democrat did not cite the exact reasons why she removed O’Brien, and her office declined to release a letter and report detailing her decision, saying it contained personal information.

Goldberg put O’Brien on paid suspension from her $196,551-a-year post last September amid allegations O’Brien made a series of “racially, ethnically, [and] culturally insensitive” remarks during her year heading the commission — accusations that O’Brien has denied. The two eventually met in a series of closed-door hearings that ended in June.

Goldberg said Monday that she chose to remove O’Brien “with deep regret because she has a long history of public service, and when appointed I anticipated she would lead the Commission capably and in an appropriate manner.”

“I expect my appointee’s actions to be reflective of the important mission of the CCC and performed in a manner that incorporates the standards of professionalism required in today’s work environment,” Goldberg said. [Read More @ The Boston Globe]