New York’s cannabis industry is experiencing a major leadership shakeup as Governor Kathy Hochul calls for the resignation of two top officials at the state’s Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). Felicia A.B. Reid, acting executive director since June 2024, and OCM Deputy Counsel James Rogers were asked to step down amid ongoing challenges in the state’s rapidly expanding adult-use market,.
The decision comes after a series of regulatory missteps, including a controversial “rent-a-license” investigation involving Omnium Canna, a processor and distributor accused of allowing unlicensed entities to operate within its licensed facility. The OCM’s inability to fully integrate track-and-trace technology with Metrc software created difficulties in monitoring product movement, leading to statewide product recalls and the pursuit of fines, license revocations, and debarments against Omnium.
Governor Hochul criticized the OCM for hindering the cannabis market’s growth, stating that the agency’s actions have sometimes stood in the way of realizing the industry’s full potential. The governor emphasized that strong leadership and accountability are essential to support the state’s booming cannabis market, which now boasts over 500 dispensaries and projected adult-use sales of $1.7 billion for 2025, up from $155 million in 2023.
The leadership change at OCM marks the second resignation of a top director under Hochul. Chris Alexander, the agency’s first executive director, resigned in May 2024 after criticism over the slow and chaotic rollout of adult-use sales. Susan Filburn, OCM’s chief administrative officer with over 20 years of state government experience, including four years as deputy commissioner at the Department of Labor, has been named to fill Reid’s role.
These upheavals are also connected to past controversies, such as the 2025 dispute over dispensary locations near schools. The OCM initially informed 152 businesses that their retail sites were too close to schools based on prior guidance errors, leading to lawsuits and a preliminary injunction from the Supreme Court of New York to halt enforcement.
Governor Hochul reaffirmed her commitment to the success of New York’s cannabis program, highlighting its potential to create jobs, generate revenue, and support communities historically excluded from economic opportunity. The administration aims to restore confidence and transparency while ensuring that the state’s cannabis market thrives responsibly.
As New York continues to expand both its adult-use and medical cannabis programs, industry stakeholders are closely watching the OCM’s next steps under Filburn’s leadership. With regulatory challenges and market opportunities converging, the state’s cannabis sector faces a pivotal moment in shaping its future.
