The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission has picked State Treasurer John McMillan as the first executive director of the new agency, reported Al.com. McMillan has over 40 years of experience and was picked over two other finalists. A 14-member commission picked McMillan on a voice vote with no dissenting votes.
The commission voted to set his starting pay at $209,877.66 reported Alabama Political Reporter.
Medical Cannabis Commission member Dwight Gamble, who led a search committee, said McMillan’s work history helped him nab the job.
“He just had a wealth of knowledge, over 40 years in state government, working at so many agencies, just gave him a leg up,” Gamble stated.
McMillan will have to resign as State Treasurer in order to take the job. Gov. Kay Ivey will appoint someone to fill the remainder of McMillan’s term. The treasurer would then have to face voters in the major party primaries on May 24, 2022.
When asked why he wanted the job, McMillan stated, “More than anything it’s just the challenge of being able to start a significant state agency that I think stands to really help a lot of people that need it as we move forward. We’ve had some good research going on and there’s been interest in this for a number of years.“It just appeals to me with my experience in state government and government agencies, you might say fixing some of them, that this is an opportunity to start something from scratch and get it right and see it bloom.”
Dr. Steven Stokes, chair of the Medical Cannabis Commission, said he hoped McMillan could start by Oct. 1.
“The Commission made an excellent choice,” Alabama Cannabis Industry Association President Chey Garrigan said. “We look forward to working with Director McMillan as Alabama builds its medical marijuana business from the ground up.”
