Kristi Shaw serves as vice-chair of the Medical Marijuana Caregivers of Maine, chair of the Maine Women’s Cannabiz Council and was the founding secretary of the Maine Cannabis Industry Association.

Maine voters should take a closer look at cannabis policy and veterans issues during this gubernatorial primary. Both matter in Maine, and both deserve serious scrutiny.

In reviewing Dr. Nirav Shah’s record, I found reasons for concern.

Mainers should know that, while serving as Illinois public health director, Nirav Shah denied veterans suffering from PTSD access to medical cannabis. They should also know that his tenure later drew intense criticism during a deadly public health crisis at a veterans’ home.

These episodes are different in kind, but together they raise the same question: what kind of judgment does Dr. Shah bring to public office?

Cannabis is Maine’s top-grossing agricultural product. That makes Dr. Shah’s public record especially relevant to Maine voters.

When Dr. Shah was appointed the director of the Illinois Department of Public Health by Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, he became responsible for administering laws already on the books, including Illinois’ medical cannabis program. One episode from that tenure is especially relevant here: he blocked veterans with PTSD from qualifying for medical cannabis even after the state’s expert panel unanimously recommended approval.

A statutorily created advisory board reviewed the evidence, held public hearings and unanimously approved PTSD. Shah declined to adopt that recommendation.

The courts intervened. A Cook County judge ordered Illinois to add PTSD within 30 days, finding that Shah had engaged in a private process hidden from public view, a “blatant denial of procedural due process.” The ruling raised concerns not just about policy, but about process and accountability.

That was not the end of the controversy. Later that year, another Cook County judge reviewed Shah’s denial of a petition to add migraine headaches. Again, Shah conducted an investigation after the hearing had closed. When courts repeatedly step in, voters are entitled to ask whether an official is respecting due process.

The concerns about judgment and accountability do not end with cannabis policy. Shah’s tenure also included the Legionnaires’ disease outbreak at the Quincy Veterans Home, where 13 people died and 74 were infected. The Illinois state auditor found that Dr. Shah did not visit the facility until the 12th day of the outbreak.

The response drew bipartisan criticism. U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth concluded that “Director Shah’s response to this tragedy reflects the height of irresponsibility and negligence, and it’s time for him to go.”

Democratic State Sen. Cristina Castro told Shah, “Your best is not good enough, Dr. Shah, it’s atrocious. Where’s the plan? I’m tired of Band-Aids. I’m tired of excuses.”

Elections are about choices, and reasonable people can disagree. But when courts say an official acted in a “constitutionally inappropriate” manner, voters should pay attention. And when a public health emergency is mishandled with fatal consequences, that also deserves attention.

Mainers deserve a governor whose judgment reflects respect for patients, veterans, due process and competent public health leadership. For that reason, Dr. Shah’s record deserves to be part of this campaign — and part of every voter’s decision.