McKee elevates RI’s top cannabis administrator as his nominee to chair regulatory commission

Gov. Dan McKee has nominated the state’s top cannabis administrator to chair the panel that oversees Rhode Island’s cannabis industry, which has not been without a leader for over seven months

McKee on Tuesday nominated Michelle Reddish to the Cannabis Control Commission seat left vacant last October after then-Chairperson Kim Ahern resigned to pursue a run for state attorney general. Reddish has served as administrator of the Rhode Island Cannabis Office since her appointment by the governor in 2024.

“In just two years, Michelle has demonstrated a deep understanding of Rhode Island’s cannabis landscape and how we can continue to effectively and safely regulate it,” McKee said in a statement. “I’m confident her time leading the state’s Cannabis Office — combined with her significant expertise in regulatory compliance, development, and technological advancement — will serve her well in this new role.”

Reddish’s nomination for the $204,069-a-year post now heads to the Rhode Island Senate for consideration. She thanked the governor for her appointment.

“I’m proud to continue contributing to the growth and success of Rhode Island and its cannabis industry,” Reddish said in a statement. 

McKee’s office credited Reddish with helping build Rhode Island’s cannabis regulatory framework, including developing rules surrounding retail pot and establishing the Cannabis Office as the operational arm of the Cannabis Control Commission.

The announcement from the governor’s office also highlighted Reddish’s administration of the initial application process for cannabis retail licenses. Applications are now in limbo after a federal judge in April ordered the process halted amid three lawsuits challenging Rhode Island’s requirement that cannabis license holders be majority-owned by state residents.

The state has since appealed the ruling, though the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston has not yet taken up the case. A hearing to establish a briefing schedule is set for June 23.

Before the halt, regulators were in the midst of reviewing 97 applications vying for one of 20 new retail licenses as soon as this month. 

Still, Reddish said she’s ready for the work ahead if confirmed by the Senate.

“I remain committed to supporting safety, transparency, and equity, and I’m sincerely thankful for the trust placed in me,” she said.

Before coming to Rhode Island, Reddish was the chief operating officer for the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority — a position she took on after serving more than a year as its chief regulatory officer.

From April 2021 to March 2022, Reddish was the director of compliance for C3 industries — a Michigan-based cannabis grower and retailer with facilities in Massachusetts and Missouri. She was also a regulatory compliance officer for Orlando-based Ravago Chemicals and SLB, a Houston-based global technology company.

Reddish holds two master’s degrees from Tulane University — one in occupational health and safety and the other in cell and molecular biology. Reddish has a third master’s degree from the University of New Orleans in health care management.