“She helped stand up the commission from the ground up and ensured that Rhode Island’s cannabis industry was launched with public health, safety, and fairness as priorities.”
By Christopher Shea, Rhode Island Currant
One day after setting the timeline for awarding the state’s two dozen cannabis retail licenses, the state’s top pot industry regulator is stepping down amid expectations she will run for attorney general in 2026.
Kimberly Ahern was set to conclude her tenure as chairperson of the three-member Cannabis Control Commission—a position she has held since the panel was formed in 2023—at the end of the day Tuesday, Gov. Dan McKee (D) announced early Tuesday afternoon.
“Serving the state in this capacity has been a privilege, and I am proud of what we have accomplished in such a short time,” Ahern wrote in her resignation letter submitted Tuesday to the governor. “Rhode Island has approached this new industry with care and purpose.”
Ahern highlighted the commission’s approval of its first set of rules governing the state’s recreational cannabis market, including provisions for screening equity applicants and opening applications for prospective retailers eager to enter the fledgling industry.
“She helped stand up the commission from the ground up and ensured that Rhode Island’s cannabis industry was launched with public health, safety, and fairness as priorities,” McKee said in a statement.
House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi (D) in a separate statement thanked Ahern for “setting a high standard for public service.”
“Her work has positioned the Cannabis [Control] Commission for long-term success as we continue to strengthen this emerging industry,” Shekarchi said.
Senate President Valarie Lawson said Ahern’s decisions on the panel “showed her dedication to fairness and thoughtful regulation.”
“Her contributions will have a lasting impact on Rhode Island’s cannabis program,” Lawson said in a statement.
Ahern’s resignation letter does not state why she stepped down from her $204,069-a-year post, only that she looked forward to “finding new ways to serve the state.”
It is expected that she will enter the Democratic primary to succeed Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha (D), whose term as the state’s top prosecutor ends after 2026. Neronha earns $146,107 a year.
Two other Democrats have already announced their candidacies this fall: State Rep. Jason Knight and Keith Hoffmann, who worked as the chief of policy and senior counsel under Neronha.
State Rep. Robert Craven, a North Kingstown Democrat, was the first to announce a bid for AG, but exited four days later after past allegations of domestic violence were brought to light.
Knight had $90,419 in his campaign account as of the most recent filing from the end of June. Hoffmann’s campaign announced October 6 that his account has raised $210,000 since he entered the race.
Ahern does not yet have a balance listed with the Board of Elections as of Tuesday.
But much like her potential competitors, Ahern too has worked as a state attorney. From 2010 through 2019, she served as a special assistant AG under three attorneys general: Neronha, Peter Kilmartin and Patrick Lynch.
She then went on to serve as deputy counsel for former Gov. Gina Raimondo (D) and went on to become the deputy chief of staff for McKee before her appointment to the Cannabis Control Commission.
McKee’s office confirmed the search for Ahern’s successor has begun. In the meantime, the panel will continue its work under the leadership of Commissioners Layi Oduyingbo and Robert Jacquard.
The commission’s next monthly meeting is scheduled for November 21, but Ahern indicated Monday it could be sooner in order for regulators to approve final certification of prospective social equity applicants.
Day-to-day operations of the commission and the state’s newly established Cannabis Office will continue to be handled by its administrator, Michelle Reddish.
This story was first published by Rhode Island Currant.
Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
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