Pols wrangle over pot sales accountability

Just a few years after quasipublic agencies were slammed as unaccountable hackeramas, the Legislature wants to create an independent board to oversee pot sales — but a pro-pot lawmaker is pushing back

“An independent commission has little accountability and will further delay recreational sales,” said state Sen. Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton), who sits on the legislative Committee on Marijuana Policy, noting that legal pot sales are due to begin July 1.

Recreational marijuana, legalized by voters last November, originally handed the state treasurer power to hire officials to create rules and grant licenses for recreational marijuana sales. But Beacon Hill leaders appear primed to take oversight away from Treasurer Deborah Goldberg.

“I strongly believe marijuana regulation should stay under the treasurer to maintain strong accountability under an elected official and to ensure the state meets its deadline,” said Eldridge, one of six state senators who sit on the joint committee on marijuana policy.

Proponents of the independent marijuana commission, such as Speaker Robert DeLeo (D-Winthrop), cite the Massachusetts Gaming Commission as a successful blueprint.

But critics point to sky-high salaries and lax oversight at other independent and quasi-public agencies.

“I think it’s a mistake. The last thing the state needs is another independent commission,” said former state treasurer Tim Cahill.

Independent and quasi-public agencies came under close scrutiny during Gov. Deval Patrick’s administration after he tried to give former state Sen. Marian Walsh a $175,000-a-year job.

The review panel, chaired in 2009 by current Gaming Commission Chairman Steve Crosby, blasted the perks, guaranteed raises and bonuses doled out in the state’s 42 quasi-public agencies.

While the MGC is an independent agency entirely funded by licensing applications and other fees, it doesn’t answer to any one state authority because its members are variously appointed by legislative leaders, the attorney general, the governor and the treasurer.

“Recreational marijuana needs some direct oversight,” said Cahill, who took over running the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission in 2003. Marijuana regulation was supposed to be modeled on the ABCC under the ballot question voters passed last fall.

“Marijuana is a controlled substance and it needs to be consistently overseen like liquor is,” Cahill said.

STAFF FILE PHOTO BY ANGELA ROWLINGS STATE OVERSIGHT: State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg was tasked by voters to oversee recreational pot sales, but Beacon Hill leaders are pushing for an independent commission instead.