Personal Statement, Julie K. Johnson

Re: Recent CCC media and public investigatory reports

Prepared by: Julie Johnson, PhD, Chief of Research, Cannabis Control Commission

Date: September 13, 2024

For the health of a thriving cannabis industry, consumers, constituents, and importantly, staff members tasked with ensuring the health of the industry, I personally believe that both staff and taxpayers alike deserve an external, objective audit to find the collective truth(s) and finally right the ship here at the Commission.

As a fellow Senior Leadership Team member, I want to make it unambiguously clear publicly that I do not, and have not, condone(d) specific behaviors of select members of the Commission’s Senior Leadership Team, former and current, behaviors that I personally believe only serve to hinder progress on Commission priorities and functions.

Since 2018 and while employed at the Commission in my capacity as former Director of Research and current Chief of Research, I have personally experienced harmful behaviors from Senior Leadership, and since 2020, I have been a recipient of similar allegations currently outlined in the media and investigatory reports. I reported these behaviors internally to select Senior Leadership Team members, both verbally and in written testimony, starting in 2020 and 2022 respectively—behaviors that I subjectively believe to be inappropriate and harmful to my health and career, as well as the health and safety of staff at the Commission, which ultimately may prevent the Commission, in some instances, from carrying out our collective goals under our mission— especially in regard to both equity and public health.

Like others, I am reading these public investigatory reports for the first time today. I do not know the reason(s) I was not requested to be, or prevented from being, a witness in these now public investigatory reports, which overlap with my own requested investigations in 2022 and 2023 involving the same individuals and similar allegations, but I am confirming publicly that I was not a witness, nor requested to be.

I believe we need stability, solutions, and external support to finally move forward. I can only speak for myself, but I know I cannot wait to get back to primarily focusing on the work of the Commonwealth, to move cannabis policy research forward and help ensure patients and consumers alike have safe access to cannabis products.

With hope for a healthier path forward,

-Julie K. Johnson