James V. Canepa has been appointed the first superintendent of the Division of Cannabis Control, the Ohio Department of Commerce announced Thursday.

His appointment to the newly created position comes a week after recreational marijuana became legal for consumers to possess in Ohio. The division will oversee the safety and regulation of both medical and non-medical cannabis. He has served as the superintendent of the Division of Liquor Control since 2017.  

Commerce also announced Thursday that Greg McIlvaine will assume an unnamed leadership role within the cannabis control division. McIlvaine has been policy director for the Medical Marijuana Control Program for the past four years.

His diverse experience and impressive regulatory credentials will be instrumental in developing a non-medical cannabis program that aligns with the expectations of Ohioans.

 Sherry Maxfield,  director of Ohio Department of Commerce 

Canepa began advising the Medical Marijuana Control Program on rulemaking options after Issue 2 passed in November, according to Commerce officials. State lawmakers are planning to make changes to the new law when they return in January. 

headshot ofJ ames V. Canepa, who has been appointed to head the newly created Ohio Division of Cannabis Control
James V. Canepa has been named the first superintendent of the newly created Division of Cannabis Control. He has been the superintendent of the Ohio Division of Liquor Control since 2017. Credit: Photo courtesy the Ohio Department of Commerce

Department of Commerce Director Sherry Maxfield said his performance in that role played into his appointment. She said this includes creating “effective solutions,” such as modernizing the state’s liquor inventory control system and introducing “retail innovations” such as the Golden Barrel Giveaway contest.

“Jim’s proven leadership and innovative approach make him the perfect choice to navigate this new area of retail and regulatory responsibility,” Maxfield said in a news release. “His diverse experience and impressive regulatory credentials will be instrumental in developing a non-medical cannabis program that aligns with the expectations of Ohioans.”

Canepa said he is looking forward to his new position, which he will begin Jan. 1.

“I am humbled by the opportunity to implement a first-of-its-kind program for the state in a safe, responsible and efficient way,” he said in a news release. “I’ve been fortunate to spend years working within both law enforcement and the retail industry. Both experiences will be central to the work that has already begun in this area inside the Department of Commerce.”

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Economics is often thought of as a lofty topic, but it shouldn’t be. My goal is to offer a street-level view of economics. My focus is on how the economy affects the lives of Greater Clevelanders. My areas of coverage include jobs, housing, entrepreneurship, unions, wealth inequality and pocketbook issues such as inflation.