The New York State Office of Cannabis Management announced two new leadership hires on Monday. 

L. Simone Washington was named chief equity officer, while Dr. June Chin will take over as chief medical officer. 

In a statement, the OCM says the hirings are part of the office’s “commitment to promoting social and economic equity, public health and responsible cannabis regulation across the state.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Chin and Ms. Washington to OCM’s ever-growing agency community,” OCM Acting Executive Director Felicia A.B. Reid said in a statement. ”Both of them have demonstrated vital leadership in their respective fields, are wellsprings of insight and organizational development practice, and each have a deep understanding of New York cannabis’ needs. They are the right leaders for the work now and the work to come. I am confident that their expertise will be invaluable as the OCM team continues to strengthen New York’s cannabis market and as the agency continues to grow.” 

OCM officials say Washington will be tasked with expanding the office’s equity-focused initiatives. She formally served as the chief diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging officer at Wellspring Philanthropic.

Chin comes to the OCM with over decades of integrative cannabis medicine, research, and public health advocacy experience. She formally served as CMO for Leafwell and also worked as the New York state vice chair of the Cannabis Advisory Board and chairperson of the CAB’s Health, Safety and Research Committee.