Recreational marijuana sales began in Massachusetts in 2018, two years after being legalized by voters. A few years in, one of the state's new Cannabis Control Commissioners is setting goals for the industry moving forward.

Kim Roy spent a decade with the Worcester County Sheriff's Office before being appointed by Gov. Charlie Baker as one of the state's commissioners. Roy says cannabis has become an economic engine for the commonwealth, even exceeding alcohol in tax revenue in 2021. 

She says one of her goals while sitting in the public health seat is prevention among the state's underage population.

"It's 21 years of age to legally consume cannabis in the state of Massachusetts," Roy said. "Science has proven that it can adversely affect brain development until your mid-20s. So, a goal for me has been really focused on prevention without youth. I'm working with a working group now around an OUI curriculum in driving schools as well."

Roy says Worcester County has the most cannabis licensees of any county in Massachusetts, pointing to higher levels of parking, real estate and industrial space as some factors.