Glass House Brands Hires Former DEA Official to Advise on Potential Interstate Marijuana Commerce and Exports
- Glass House Brands has hired former DEA official Matt Murphy to help prepare for potential interstate and international marijuana commerce by developing compliance systems aligned with federal Schedule III requirements and other markets' regulations.
- Although interstate marijuana commerce remains generally prohibited under current federal law, Glass House aims to position itself for future regulatory changes that may allow shipping products across state and national borders.
- Matt Murphy, founder of Pharma Compliance Group and former DEA special agent with over 26 years of experience, previously served as chief compliance officer at Khiron Life Sciences, assisting with international cannabis distribution compliance.
- Glass House plans to leverage Murphy's expertise to enhance tracking and compliance processes within California's regulatory framework while preparing for possible expansion beyond the state through its large-scale cultivation facilities and diverse brand portfolio.
Glass House Brands has retained a former Drug Enforcement Administration official to help the California-based marijuana company prepare for potential interstate commerce and international export opportunities.
The company announced Monday that Matt Murphy will advise it on developing compliance systems that could meet federal Schedule III requirements and the regulations of markets outside California.
Interstate marijuana commerce and exports remain generally prohibited under current federal law, and moving marijuana to Schedule III would not automatically allow companies to ship state-licensed products across state or national borders. Glass House said the appointment is intended to position the company for future regulatory frameworks that may permit such activity.
Murphy is the founder and president of Pharma Compliance Group, which advises pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors and pharmacies on compliance with the federal Controlled Substances Act and DEA regulations.
Before establishing the company, Murphy spent 26 years with the DEA as a special agent and regulatory specialist. He served as the agency’s chief of pharmaceutical investigations and later as assistant special agent in charge of its New England Field Division.
Murphy also served as chief compliance officer for Khiron Life Sciences from 2017 through 2021. Khiron was a vertically integrated marijuana company based in Colombia that supplied cannabis flower and extracts to markets including Germany and the United Kingdom.
Glass House said Murphy helped Khiron develop security, product-tracking and seed-to-sale systems designed to prevent diversion and support international distribution.
Glass House Chairman and CEO Kyle Kazan said the company plans to use Murphy’s experience to develop tracking and compliance processes that work alongside California’s existing closed-loop regulatory system while preparing for possible distribution outside the state.
The company operates large-scale cultivation facilities in California and owns brands including Glass House Farms, PLUS Products, Allswell and Mama Sue Wellness.