Cannabis commission official leaves agency after lengthy paid suspension

The chief communications officer at the state Cannabis Control Commission has left the agency after being suspended with pay for over a year, state payroll records show.

The commission has never explained why Cedric Sinclair was initially suspended in December 2023. Three former staffers, all of whom are women, later told WBUR that Sinclair had bullied and harassed them at work.

Records from the state comptroller's office show Sinclair was no longer an active employee as of Jan. 3 and he has been removed from the commission's website. Data from the state's open payroll system show Sinclair was paid more than $18,000 in "leave buy-back" this month, on top of his regular salary.

Sinclair continued to collect his more than $161,000 annual salary while he was suspended from the commission.

Sinclair's lawyer did not immediately respond to requests for comment; Sinclair could not be reached. A spokesperson said the commission does not comment on personnel matters.

Sinclair was one of the first employees of the agency, which was tasked with overseeing the state's then-newly legal marijuana industry. His leave came at a period of intense turmoil for the commission, with high staff turn-over, calls for oversight by the state's inspector general, and a bitter and ongoing legal battle involving the commission's ousted chair.

The commission has named a new executive director for the first time since its founding executive director, Shawn Collins, resigned at the end of 2023. Holliston Town Administrator Travis Ahern is expected to join the commission March 3.

Ahern's hire came after the agency lost another candidate last month. Illinois cannabis chief David Lakeman backed out of the job after contract negotiations reportedly broke down. He had previously worked for the Massachusetts cannabis commission.

Correction: This story has been updated to reflect that Ahern is still Holliston Town Administrator until his March 3 start date at the commission. We regret the error.