Former Kingston Corporation Counsel Barbara Graves-Poller has been hired as the new general counsel for the New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). [1]
The
Daily Freeman report details the following key aspects of her transition to the state agency:
Background & New Role
- The Position: She will serve as the chief lawyer (general counsel) for the state’s cannabis agency and will work out of the New York City office. [1]
- Recent Resignation: She previously served as the top attorney for the city of Kingston, New York, before resigning in May 2026 for medical reasons. [1]
- Estimated Salary: The Office of Cannabis Management has not released her exact salary, but data from government salary watchdog websites shows that lawyers at the agency typically make between $150,000 and over $200,000. [1]
Legal Experience
The state agency announced her hiring in a recent newsletter, highlighting her extensive career: [1]
- She has more than 20 years of legal experience.
- She has a strong background as a litigator, which includes representing New York City in both state and federal appeals courts.
- She worked in commercial litigation for several years before moving into public service roles in 2008.
- She holds both a Law Degree (JD) and a Master’s Degree from New York University (NYU). [1]
Google AI








