Just in case you’ve been living under a rock
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the confirmation of three members of her cabinet.
“My administration is laser-focused on making New York safer and more affordable for all — and these three cabinet members will play a pivotal role in driving results statewide,” Governor Hochul said. “New Yorkers deserve experienced, battle-tested public servants ready to get to work on day one. Commissioners O’Leary and Moser and Executive Director Kagia represent the very best of us and I am excited to serve alongside them.“
The following cabinet members were confirmed by the Senate:
- Terry O’Leary, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services
- John Kagia, Office of Cannabis Management
- Kathy Moser, Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
About Executive Director John Kagia
Prior to his role as Executive Director, Mr. Kagia served as the Director of Policy at OCM where he led the team responsible for policy development and implementation for the medical, adult use and cannabinoid hemp programs, and managed the development of research systems in New York. Since joining the cannabis industry in 2014, John Kagia has been a pioneering industry analyst delivering groundbreaking research into emerging global markets, investment and capital flows, supply chain trends, product innovation and evolving consumer behavior. He works with policy makers, investors and business owners to capitalize on emerging opportunities, hedge against risk, and predict market defining trends. Prior to joining the cannabis industry, Mr. Kagia spent a decade delivering market research and strategic intelligence to high-performing organizations across the federal government, technology and non-profit sectors.
New York State Office of Cannabis Management Executive Director John Kagia said, “I am honored by the Senate’s confirmation and grateful to Governor Hochul, the Cannabis Control Board, our staff, and the stakeholders who have helped build New York’s cannabis market. Over the past 5 years, New York has built the nation’s most innovative cannabis framework, rooted in equity, public health, and economic opportunity. Together, we have made extraordinary progress, but our work is far from over. As this market continues to mature, we remain committed to strengthening the legal marketplace, supporting licensees across the supply chain, protecting consumers, and ensuring the benefits of legalization reach communities throughout New York State.”
