[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"news-article-former-massachusetts-cannabis-commission-chair-sues-over-ouster-a5d59f59":3},{"data":4},{"_id":5,"slug":6,"articleType":7,"body":8,"createdAt":15,"dek":16,"entities":17,"headline":24,"imageAlt":25,"imageUrl":26,"keyFacts":27,"language":44,"publishedAt":45,"seo":46,"sources":49,"summary":54,"updatedAt":55},"6a909948aeddfad21a39f9de","former-massachusetts-cannabis-commission-chair-sues-over-ouster-a5d59f59","regulation",[9,10,11,12,13,14],"Former Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission Chair Shannon O’Brien is suing state Treasurer Deb Goldberg and the commission itself, alleging retaliation and invasion of privacy related to her firing from the position about two years ago.","O’Brien was suspended from the commission in late 2023 and later fired by Goldberg for allegedly making insensitive remarks and contributing to a hostile work environment. She challenged her removal and was ultimately reinstated as commission chair after a judge determined last September that she had been wrongfully terminated.","O’Brien resumed heading the commission in October, was awarded back pay and benefits for being ousted from the position, and served there until Gov. Maura Healey appointed an all-new commission in May.","In the lawsuit, O’Brien claims that Goldberg and the CCC retaliated against her while she was commission chair after she reported actions that she believed were illegal or risky, in violation of the Massachusetts Whistleblower Act. The suit also alleges violations of the Massachusetts Civil Rights Act and that Goldberg invaded her privacy.","A representative from Goldberg’s office said the lawsuit is an attention-seeking effort to revive past-litigated issues. The lawsuit is seeking compensation for damages to be determined by a jury.","Needham attorney Timothy Burke, who filed the suit on O’Brien’s behalf, said O’Brien had suffered economic loss, professional and reputational injury, emotional distress, physical symptoms, litigation expenses, and other compensable damages.","2026-08-27T20:08:40.029Z","Shannon O’Brien alleges retaliation and privacy violations against Treasurer Deb Goldberg and the CCC.",{"brands":18,"products":19,"markets":20,"organizations":22},[],[],[21],"Massachusetts",[23],"Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission","Former Massachusetts Cannabis Commission Chair Sues Over Ouster","Former Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission Chair Shannon O’Brien files a lawsuit over her removal from the position.","",[28,32,35,38,41],{"claim":29,"sourceUrl":30,"_id":31},"Former Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission Chair Shannon O’Brien is suing state Treasurer Deb Goldberg and the commission, alleging retaliation and invasion of privacy related to her firing.","https:\u002F\u002Fganjapreneur.com\u002Fformer-massachusetts-cannabis-commission-chair-sues-over-ouster\u002F","6a909948e81f0249cd72d7f5",{"claim":33,"sourceUrl":30,"_id":34},"O’Brien was suspended in late 2023 and later fired by Goldberg for allegedly making insensitive remarks and contributing to a hostile work environment.","6a909948e81f0249cd72d7f6",{"claim":36,"sourceUrl":30,"_id":37},"A judge determined last September that O’Brien had been wrongfully terminated, and she was reinstated as commission chair in October with back pay and benefits.","6a909948e81f0249cd72d7f7",{"claim":39,"sourceUrl":30,"_id":40},"The lawsuit alleges violations of the Massachusetts Whistleblower Act and the Massachusetts Civil Rights Act, and that Goldberg invaded O’Brien’s privacy.","6a909948e81f0249cd72d7f8",{"claim":42,"sourceUrl":30,"_id":43},"The lawsuit seeks compensation for damages to be determined by a jury.","6a909948e81f0249cd72d7f9","en","2026-08-28T05:26:14.544Z",{"title":47,"description":48},"Former Massachusetts Cannabis Chair Sues Over Ouster","Shannon O’Brien alleges retaliation and privacy violations against Treasurer Deb Goldberg and the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission.",[50],{"name":51,"url":30,"trustTier":52,"_id":53},"Ganjapreneur","trade","6a909948e81f0249cd72d7f4","Former Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission Chair Shannon O’Brien has filed a lawsuit against state Treasurer Deb Goldberg and the commission, claiming retaliation and invasion of privacy tied to her removal from the position.","2026-08-28T05:26:14.681Z"]