California’s cannabis regulator has confirmed its new director, Nicole Elliott.
Elliott was appointed by the California State Senate on March 30 following a unanimous vote of 34 senators.
The new director was initially appointed as an interim director of the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) by California Governor Gavin Newsom last July.
Under her leadership, the DCC has:
- Formed from three disparate organizations, the Bureau of Cannabis Control, the CalCannabis Cultivation Licensing Division, and the Department of Public Health’s Manufactured Cannabis Safety Branch.
- Awarded $100 million in grants to support local state governments to transition their cannabis licensing structures.
- Launched a fee waiver program to support equity businesses.
“From day one, Director Elliott hit the ground running, responsibly leading the newly created Department of Cannabis Control, building a strong organizational culture and team, and creating meaningful stakeholder engagement opportunities,” Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency Secretary Lourdes Castro Ramírez said in a statement.
“With Director Elliott at the helm, California will continue to be a national leader, forging new pathways for innovation and strengthening cannabis regulation.”