CHARLTON, Mass. – The group tasked with overseeing retail cannabis in Massachusetts has been traveling across the state to answer people’s questions about the industry as the embattled commission also faces questions from state lawmakers.

Kimberly Roy, one of five commissioners on the Cannabis Control Commission, took part in a Q&A session at the Charlton Senior Center on Wednesday. It comes on the heels of a discussion on Martha’s Vineyard about supply chain issues and meetings in Great Barrington with growers about their challenges.

“Cannabis is still a relatively new industry, it’s still federally illegal,” Roy said. “The research and information out there is still somewhat limited, so we just want to talk about consuming safely and responsibly... We want them to have a positive experience, but also have the education to go in and make good decisions for themselves.”

Roy said her passion for education and prevention work comes from her days at the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office, and she spoke with the small crowd at the senior center about efforts to improve cannabis access and understanding among veterans and older residents.

Just months ago, however, the Cannabis Control Commission was fielding different questions. Constant turnover, allegations of a hostile work environment and delays getting new regulations in place prompted some state lawmakers to push for more oversight, a sentiment echoed by Massachusetts Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro.

In a scathing letter to state lawmakers, he called the commission a "rudderless agency without a clear indication of who is responsible for running its day-to-day operations," and called for a receiver to be brought in to manage operations.

While no action was taken by the close of this past legislative session, Roy said there will be hearings regarding the commission soon.

“I’ve always advocated publicly many times for transparency. We are a government agency and we need to always earn public trust and be transparent,” Roy said. “I know that the legislature will be holding public hearings in the fall to look at the organizational structure of the commission, so I think the hearings might maybe yield some positive results.”

Sen. Michael Moore (D-2nd Worcester) introduced legislation for the inspector general’s office to have a unit created to monitor the commission. While the bill ended up sitting in a committee, he’s looking forward to the hearings as a chance to get to the root of the problem.

“Every time there’s any sort of criticism or attention brought to them, their comeback is how wonderful it is, how they collaborate, how it’s a $7 billion industry,” Moore said. “I guess my question is, if it’s a $7 billion industry and this poor of management, how big could this industry actually be?”

Earlier this month, citing "gross misconduct," Massachusetts State Treasurer Deb Goldberg fired Commission Chair Shannon O’Brien. At the time, Moore said while he's happy the treasurer made a decision about O’Brien’s employment, he's not happy the 80-page report on the allegations made against her are hidden from the public.

In the past, commission members have said having an outside receiver come in to take over operations would only slow down its productivity, but Roy believes there should be some willingness to change.

“I think that the statute could perhaps be revisited and fine-tuned a little bit about the roles and responsibilities of certain members within the commission or commissioners versus the executive director,” Roy said. “…I’ve also recommended outside experts come in and look at our internal controls. Don't forget, we were a startup seven years ago, and what worked then might not work now.”