John SchroyerA prominent New York attorney and diversity, equity and inclusion executive has been appointed to join the top marijuana regulatory board in the Empire State, replacing now-former member Adam Perry.
A spokesperson for the Office of Cannabis Management and the Cannabis Control Board confirmed that Perry resigned earlier this month for personal reasons.
Crystal J. Rodriguez-Dabney announced on social media that she was named this week as the newest member of the New York Cannabis Control Board by state Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, following a recommendation by Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes. The board is responsible for approving regulations for the cannabis industry, as well as signing off on business permits.
“This is a wonderful opportunity and an ever bigger responsibility as we seek to ensure equity in the entire process. Looking forward to working with the (Office of Cannabis Management) and learning the ins and outs of this legendary legislation,” Rodriguez-Dabney wrote.
The other four members of the board include Chairwoman Tremaine Wright, Jessica Garcia, Dr. Jennifer Gilbert Jenkins, and Hope Knight. Heastie had previously named Perry to the board in 2021. The governor gets three appointments to the board, while the Assembly speaker gets one and the president of the state senate fills the final slot, and each member serves for a term of three years.
Heastie named Rodriguez-Dabney, a resident of Buffalo, in a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul on Sept. 12.
According to her LinkedIn profile, Rodriguez-Dabney “currently serves as Chief Diversity Officer and Senior Vice President at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.”
Previously, she worked as first deputy mayor and chief of staff for the city of Buffalo, and was the first chief diversity officer for Mayor Byron Brown. Rodriguez-Dabney also served as chief diversity officer and chief of staff at SUNY Buffalo State University from 2018 to 2022.
