NY Governor Appoints John Kagia As Top Cannabis Regulator
ALBANY, N.Y., Feb. 26, 2026 – New York Gov. Kathy Hochul appointed John Kagia to serve as acting executive director of the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). Kagia will serve as acting director until confirmed by the Senate.
“John Kagia holds several years of experience in both the public and private sectors and will be able to lead the OCM efficiently, while delivering for New Yorkers across the state,” Hochul said. “Mr. Kagia embodies what it means to serve others, and I am confident that he will continue to use his talents to uplift our multibillion-dollar, equitable cannabis industry.”
Kagia said, “It is an extraordinary privilege to lead this program at this pivotal moment for our cannabis industry. New York has built the most exciting, equitable, innovative and opportunity-rich cannabis market in the world, and I look forward to working with the governor, the incredible staff at the office and with all our stakeholders to continue to grow our industry.”
Kagia served as the OCM’s director of policy, where he led the team responsible for policy development and implementation for the medical, adult-use and cannabinoid hemp programs, and managed the development of research systems in New York.
Since joining the cannabis industry in 2014, Kagia has been a pioneering industry analyst delivering groundbreaking research into emerging global markets, investment and capital flows, supply chain trends, product innovation and evolving consumer behavior. He works with policy makers, investors and business owners to capitalize on emerging opportunities, hedge against risk and predict market-defining trends.
Before joining the cannabis industry, Kagia spent a decade delivering market research and strategic intelligence to high-performing organizations across the federal government, technology and nonprofit sectors.
OCM Executive Deputy Director Susan Filburn said, “John has dedicated years of service to OCM and the cannabis industry. He brings a deep institutional knowledge, steady leadership and the respect of his colleagues at every level to this role. I have great confidence in his ability to guide the agency forward and to continue delivering on our mission for the communities we serve. I look forward to supporting John and seeing the office thrive under his leadership.”
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