Associate Enforcement Counsel

Commonwealth of Massachusetts; Canal District (MA); Hybrid; USD 97,000 - 121,000; Full time

Job summary

Cannabis Control Commission in Massachusetts seeks an Associate Enforcement Counsel to represent the Commission in adjudicatory proceedings and advise on enforcement matters, licensing, investigations, and regulatory compliance for the Commonwealth's marijuana industry. This role requires a JD, bar admission, and strong litigation experience.

You will collaborate with Enforcement Counsel and agency staff, lead investigations and hearings, develop policy proposals, and provide legal training.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Member in good standing with the Massachusetts bar.
• Minimum three-year experience practicing law, preferably in the public sector.

Responsibilities

• Attend, present, and represent the Commission at public meetings, administrative hearings, and other public forums in relation to enforcement matters.
• Prosecute enforcement matters in formal and informal administrative hearings pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, including drafting motions, briefs, discovery requests, preparing evidence, and conducting direct and cross examination.
• Lead negotiations at dispute resolution conferences and the drafting of compliance stipulated agreements.
• Bring suitability disputes before the Suitability Review Committee through the informal proceeding process.

Skills

Analytical skills

Oral communication

Written communication

Regulatory enforcement

Collaboration

Education

Juris Doctor (ABA-accredited)

Massachusetts bar admission

Job description

An Official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Job Description - Associate Enforcement Counsel (260007GF)

Job Description

Associate Enforcement Counsel - ( 260007GF )

Description

JOB SUMMARY

The Associate Enforcement Counsel, under the direction of the Enforcement Counsel, represents the Commission in adjudicatory proceedings under M.G.L. c. 30A alleging violations of Commission laws and in informal proceedings relative to suitability disputes. The Associate Enforcement Counsel provides legal support to Enforcement Counsel in advising the agency on all enforcement-related matters. The Associate Enforcement Counsel is also responsible for assisting the Investigations and Enforcement department staff regarding legal matters with licensing, inspections, investigations, testing, and enforcement. This position counsels and advises all enforcement units in the implementation of the Commission’s statute and regulations and the development of consistent regulatory compliance measures for the Commonwealth’s marijuana industry. In addition, the Associate Enforcement Counsel may assist in developing policies and proposing regulatory revisions to comply with legislative and regulatory changes with a focus on compliance and enforcement.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Attend, present, and represent the Commission at public meetings, administrative hearings, and other public forums in relation to enforcement matters;

Prosecute enforcement matters in formal and informal administrative hearings conducted pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, to include drafting motions, briefs, discovery requests, preparing evidence, and conducting direct and cross examination;

Lead negotiations at dispute resolution conferences and the drafting of compliance stipulated agreements;

Bring suitability disputes before the Suitability Review Committee through the informal proceeding process to include drafting position statements and compiling the corresponding evidentiary record;

Assist Enforcement Counsel in advising the Commission on enforcement-related legal matters, including but not limited to the Commission’s Chief of Investigations and Enforcement, Director of Licensing, Director of Investigations, and Director of Testing and their staff, as evidenced by the development of coherent and well-researched written and oral advice;

Provide legal analysis and advice on the determination of all requests seeking exemption from Commission regulations;

Advise and consult on the development of Commission regulations and polices;

Conduct legal research comparing regulatory approaches in legalized marijuana jurisdictions;

Collaborate with federal, state, and local government agencies on enforcement-related matters where appropriate and assist the Chief of Investigations and Enforcement on other special initiatives as needed;

Lead special investigations as assigned by the Chief of Investigations and Enforcement; and

Conduct legal training programs for the Investigations and Enforcement staff as determined by the Chief of Investigations and Enforcement.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Foster the principles of the Commission’s Mission Statement among the staff and all stakeholders;

Maintain the highest standards of personal, professional, and ethical conduct and support the Commission’s goals for a diverse and culturally diverse and inclusive workforce; and

Perform related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Not applicable

Qualifications

PROFESSIONAL EXPECTATIONS

The Cannabis Control Commission expects all employees to model:

Commitment to its Mission, Vision, and Values

Contributions Toward Meeting Organizational Goals and Objectives

A High Level of Integrity, Collaboration, and Professionalism

A Culturally Sensitive, Inclusive, and Accountable Workplace Environment

Working Respectfully with Others, Supporting Diverse Perspectives, and Upholding Organizational Values

Transparent, Meaningful, and Effective Communication

COMPETENCIES, SKILLS, AND ATTRIBUTES

Creativity, intellectual flexibility, and the ability to navigate a wide range of multi-faceted issues;

Excellent analytical and written and oral communication skills;

Extensive understanding of equity concerns in the cannabis industry, and best practices pertaining to enforcement of social equity regulations within the industry;

Proven problem-solving skills and sound judgment;

Knowledge and familiarity with cannabis laws and the cannabis industry;

Ability to conduct comprehensive legal research, including the ability to analyze legal precedents and apply it to factual circumstances;

Ability to present clear, concise, and well-founded legal arguments and opinions for a variety of audiences;

Ability to exercise sound judgement and discretion when handling confidential information and complex situations;

Strong interpersonal and organizational skills;

Ability to work independently, productively, and collaboratively in an evolving environment;

Ability to resolve disputes with external stakeholders in a timely manner;

Must demonstrate a proficiency with computers and MS Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint);

Willingness to learn state and Commission-specific electronic systems;

Ability to work in and travel to our Worcester headquarters and Boston location; and

Willingness to travel throughout the Commonwealth when necessary.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school and a member in good standing with the Massachusetts bar;

Experience or familiarity with the Commonwealth’s cannabis laws;

Minimum three-year experience practicing law, preferably in the public sector;

Experience or familiarity with state agencies, especially state commissions;

Experience in civil or criminal litigation;

Experience in managing large caseloads and/or prosecuting cases;

Experience in administrative law and litigation, licensing and/or investigations;

Knowledge and understanding of the administrative adjudicatory hearing process

Knowledge in the areas of constitutional law and/or statutory interpretation;

Experience in a regulatory agency;

Experience in corporate and/or municipal law is a plus;

ADA REQUIREMENTS

Physical Demands:

Must be able to lift, push, or pull up to 20 pounds.

Must tolerate sitting, standing, or walking for extended periods of time.

Must be sensitive to and can manage frequent interruptions.

Standard office environment with use of, and exposure to various office temperatures, and equipment such as computers, fax machines, copiers, etc.

Benefits Package: The Commission is pleased to offer a comprehensive benefits package to its employees. The specific components and eligibility may vary based upon position classification, hours worked per week and other variables. Therefore, specific benefits for this position may be discussed as part of the interview and offer process.

This position is non-civil service. This position is an exempt position. The overall benefits available include: paid vacation, sick and personal leave time, health, dental and vision insurance through the Commonwealth’s Group Insurance, and optional pre-tax Health Savings Account plans. In addition, the Commission provides employees the opportunity to elect life insurance, long term disability insurance, deferred compensation savings, tuition remission and pre-tax commuter account plans, along with other programs.

The Commission employees also participate in the Commonwealth’s State Retirement Plan, which can become a defined benefit plan for those that both vest and subsequently retire from State service. Follow this link for additional retirement information: http://www.mass.gov/treasury/retirement/state-board- of-retire/.

Commitment to Diversity:

The Commission is committed to building a diverse staff across its entire agency and at all levels. The Commission is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

Notice of Required Background Check – Including Tax Compliance:

The Commission requires a background check on all prospective employees as a condition of employment.

Candidates should be aware of this requirement but should also know that such background check is not initiated until:

• A candidate is invited to a second or subsequent interview, and
• The candidate has signed the Background Check Authorization Form and related releases.

This background check includes a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check.

Candidates with advanced degrees and professional licenses may have these credentials verified. Individuals other than those references provided by a candidate may be contacted in the course of completing a full background and qualification check.

Those candidates invited to interview will be contacted by the Commission. Unfortunately, due to the anticipated high volume of applicants for this vacancy, we are unable to provide status updates to specific individuals.

CANNABIS CONTROL COMMISSION’S MISSION STATEMENT AND OPERATING PRINCIPLES

OUR MISSION

The mission of the Cannabis Control Commission is to honor the will of the voters of Massachusetts by safely, equitably, and effectively implementing and administering the laws enabling access to medical and adult-use marijuana in the Commonwealth.

The Commission will foster the creation of a safely regulated industry that will create entrepreneurial and employment opportunities and incremental tax revenues in and to communities across the state and which will be a best practice model for other states.

The industry will be characterized by participation by small and larger participants and with full and robust participation by minorities, women, and veterans.

We will develop policies and procedures to encourage and enable full participation in the marijuana industry by people from communities that have previously been disproportionately harmed by marijuana prohibition and enforcement and positively impact those communities.

OUR OPERATING PRINCIPLES

The Commission promises to:

Conduct all of our processes openly and transparently; and

Engage in regular two-way communication with all concerned citizens, patients, health care providers and caregivers, partners, and other constituencies.

Build a world-class state agency by:

Committing to the highest level of constituent services using state-of-the-art technology and multiple media;

Defining and publicly measuring our performance versus metrics regarding timely execution, accessibility, impact on public health and safety, impact on disproportionately harmed communities, and incremental tax revenue generation;

Becoming self-funding and generating a revenue surplus; and

Creating a great place to work.

Enhance and ensure public health and safety by:

Developing and enforcing effective regulations;

Developing and executing a program of continuing public education;

Conducting and contributing to research on marijuana-related topics; and

Using surplus funds to help address issues in these areas.

Official Title : Assoc Enforcement Counsel, CNB

Primary Location

United States-Massachusetts-Worcester-2 Washington Square

Job

Legal Services

Agency

Cannabis Control Commission

Schedule

Full-time

Shift

Day

Job Posting

Oct 27, 2026, 8:11:20 PM

Number of Openings

1

Salary

97,000.00 - 121,000.00 Yearly

If you have Diversity, Affinnate Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator : Sudeshna Chatterjee - 7744150200

Potentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule : Yes