Former Lawrence Mayor and MassDevelopment CEO, Dan Rivera, has been appointed as the new Chair of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (CCC). The appointment was announced by Governor Maura Healey in September 2023.
Rivera took the helm of the state agency responsible for regulating the cannabis industry in Massachusetts, a role that leverages his extensive experience in both municipal and state-level governance. He is serving a five-year term.
In his role, Rivera is tasked with overseeing the commission's operations, guiding policy, and ensuring the state's cannabis market is safe, equitable, and effective. His appointment came at a crucial time for the CCC, as the state continues to refine its regulations and expand the market, particularly focusing on social equity initiatives.
"I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as Chair of the Cannabis Control Commission," Rivera stated following his appointment. "I look forward to working with my fellow commissioners, staff, and stakeholders to ensure that the cannabis industry in Massachusetts is a national model for equity and safety."
This position marks a new chapter for Rivera, who previously served as the President and CEO of MassDevelopment, the state’s economic development and finance agency, from 2021 to 2023. Prior to that, he had a notable tenure as the Mayor of Lawrence from 2014 to 2021, where he was widely recognized for leading the city out of a fiscal crisis and managing the response to the 2018 Merrimack Valley gas explosions.
Rivera's appointment has been viewed as a strategic move by the Healey-Driscoll administration to bring experienced leadership to the forefront of the state's evolving cannabis industry. His background in economic development and public administration is expected to be a significant asset in navigating the complexities of cannabis regulation and market growth in the Commonwealth.
