gLeaf

The former executive director of the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission has joined one of the marijuana companies she was previously tasked with regulating.

Joy Strand served as head of the 16-member regulatory board for almost two years before resigning effective Oct. 1, 2019, after spending almost two months on medical leave. William Tilburg, policy and government affairs director at the commission, was named as acting executive director and last month he landed the top job on a permanent basis.

Joy Strand has joined Frederick-based Green Leaf Medical as its new executive vice president, three months after stepping down as executive director of the state’s medical cannabis commission.

Green Leaf, known also by its gLeaf brand, announced Strand’s hire Thursday. She started on New Year’s Day and is now in charge of managing government relations for the company.

Green Leaf Medical’s CEO Philip Goldberg expects to submit a medical marijuana dispensary application by Aug. 31, the final day for submissions as allowed by the New Jersey Department of Health Division of Medicinal Marijuana’s Request For Applications, announced on July 16.

In its current fundraising efforts to support expansion, the company has raised $6 million toward an $18 million goal.