Springfield hires cannabis compliance program coordinator

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SPRINGFIELD -- With two recreational cannabis businesses now open in Springfield, and more on the horizon, the city has hired a newly created cannabis compliance program coordinator for added oversight.

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and Helen R. Caulton-Harris, the city’s commissioner of health and human services, announced the appointment of Neev Blume of Newton to the new city position. Blume has been a cannabis compliance officer with the state, and will be required to move to Springfield within one year under the city’s residency ordinance for new employees.

The annual salary is $72,500.

Blume’s responsibilities will be “to oversee the regulatory compliance of applicable state and local laws across cultivation, manufacturing, distribution and delivery operations,” city officials said. Blume will also perform routine inspections at city marijuana establishments and serve as a liaison to the Massachusetts Cannabis Commission.

The city approved four retail cannabis operations in 2019, and is now negotiating host community agreements with additional cannabis businesses under the second phase.

Two retail cannabis businesses have opened to the public thus far from the first round.

Liberty Springfield opened the first recreational shop last November, at 1300 Boston Road, and Insa opened the second retail establishment at the former Luxe Burger Bar at 1200 West Columbus Ave., in June.

A third company, 6 Brick’s LLC, is planning to open on the first floor of The Republican building, at 1860 Main St. A fourth company, 311 Page Blvd., LLC, is planning a retail operation at that address in East Springfield.

Sarno said he welcomes Blume.

Mr. Blume is a bright and talented young man who has an impressive combination of experience and education that will serve the City, our residents and the business community well,” Sarno said. “His previous work as a Compliance Officer with the state Cannabis Control Commission is impressive and his knowledge of this new industry in our Commonwealth will greatly benefit the City of Springfield’s efforts in making sure that our local marijuana establishments are in compliance and using best practices.”

Blume formerly served as a compliance officer with the state Department of Public Health’s Medical Use of Marijuana Program, now known as the Cannabis Control Commission, officials said. He regularly coordinated with representatives from the Environmental Toxicology Program within the Bureau of Environmental Health to ensure that marijuana, and the derivatives thereof, adhered to all testing standards.

He has a Master of Science degree in Agriculture with a specialization in Plant Sciences from the University of Copenhagen and Bachelor of Science degree in Plant, Soil and Insect Sciences from the Stockbridge School of Agriculture at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

The Department of Health and Human Services “is committed to overseeing our local regulatory compliance of all applicable state and local laws and ordinances in this new growing marijuana sector,” Caulton-Harris said.

Blume’s experience with the state overseeing the certification of more than 30 new marijuana treatment centers across the state will be beneficial to the city’s efforts, she said.

“I am looking forward to working with Neev as we continue to move the City of Springfield’s cannabis sector forward for the good of all our residents and businesses,” Caulton-Harris said.

Blume said he is “thrilled to have been selected to this important role” in Springfield.

“I intend to apply my background in agriculture and experience in public health to help ensure that stakeholders across the industry are compliant and to safeguard the best interests of the residents of Springfield,” Blume said.

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