Gov. Phil Murphy made his appointments to the five-person Cannabis Regulatory Commission on Feb. 25, rounding out the commission and paving the way for the cohort to craft the rules for New Jersey’s nascent adult-use program.

The governor tapped Department of Health Director of Policy and Legislative Services Maria Del Cid and William Wallace, director of the professional division at United Food and Commercial Workers International Union Local 342.

He also officially appointed Sam Delgado, a retired vice president of external affairs for Verizon New Jersey and retired Marine Corps reserve combat communications officer, to the commission at the recommendation of Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin.

“As we move forward to establish a legal adult-use cannabis marketplace, we could not have a better slate of appointees to lead these efforts,” Murphy said in a prepared statement. “It will take time before we see legal adult-use sales begin, but I know that each and every one of these individuals will act to ensure that the marketplace for adult-use recreational cannabis is equitable, fair, and inclusive of all communities.”

The CRC will regulate New Jersey’s medical cannabis marketplace as well as craft the rules for and oversee the creation, execution, and operation of the soon-to-be-established adult-use cannabis marketplace.

Prior to her current position where she serves as a liaison with the governor’s office and to the legislature, Del Cid served as chief of staff to the late Assemblyman Jerry Green. She holds a master’s degree in public affairs and politics from the Edward Bloustein School of Planning & Public Policy at Rutgers University and is involved in civic organizations including Latino Caucus Coordinator for the New Jersey Democratic State Committee.

At UFCW, Wallace represents and serves union members across multiple companies in New Jersey, Delaware, and New York. He previously served as president of UFCW International Union Local 100R, and previously worked as a pharmacist-in-charge at several pharmacies across the state of New Jersey. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the Rutgers University College of Pharmacy.

Prior to retiring from Verizon in 2019, Delgado was responsible for managing the allocation of grants, supporting Verizon’s philanthropic endeavors, and furthering Verizon’s environmental commitments. Over 21 years with the company, Delgado also served as director of supplier diversity, director of external affairs for Union and Middlesex Counties, and as a human resource manager. Delgado served in the United States Marine Corp from 1978 to 2000, retiring as a Major; and served as a military advisor to the U.S. State Department in Port-au-Prince, Haiti during Operation Uphold Democracy from 1994 to 1995.

The new appointments will serve alongside previously appointed Commission Chair Dianna Houenou and Krista Nash, and CRC Executive Director Jeff Brown, who’s run the state’s medical cannabis program through the Department of Health since 2018.