Former Massachusetts Cannabis Chair Files Whistleblower Lawsuit Against State Treasurer, Alleging Retaliation Over Marijuana Oversight Concerns

Former Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission Chair Shannon O’Brien has filed a lawsuit against State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg, the Commonwealth and the commission, alleging she was retaliated against after raising concerns about regulatory failures and possible misconduct within the state’s marijuana industry.

The complaint, filed August 20 in Suffolk Superior Court, alleges that Goldberg improperly disclosed confidential personnel information, pressured O’Brien to resign and ultimately removed her after O’Brien pushed for investigations into management and enforcement problems at the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC).

Among the allegations are concerns involving marijuana company Greatest Hits. According to the lawsuit, a whistleblower told commissioners in June 2023 that the licensee had engaged in unauthorized marijuana cultivation, involved an underage person in product manufacturing and moved large amounts of marijuana into the market without required testing or regulatory oversight.

O’Brien says she sought an investigation into the allegations and later learned of potential conflicts involving then-CCC Executive Director Shawn Collins. The complaint says Collins had longstanding personal ties to Greatest Hits’ general counsel and that another company official had previously worked under him at the commission, relationships O’Brien alleges were not disclosed while the matter was being handled.

The lawsuit further alleges that the agency’s response to the Greatest Hits matter was compromised, including changes to investigative assignments and delays in enforcement. It also cites a Teams message in which Collins allegedly thanked employees for “helping our friends.”

O’Brien claims that as she continued raising concerns about the commission, personnel complaints were increasingly used against her.

According to the filing, Goldberg discussed still-confidential allegations involving O’Brien with longtime political associate Edward Farley in July 2023, before the workplace investigation was complete. The lawsuit alleges Goldberg predicted O’Brien would be “humiliated” and discussed the possibility of replacing her with a commissioner who was a woman of color.

The complaint further claims Goldberg shared commission-related material with Farley and later directed that records of their communications be deleted.

Goldberg suspended O’Brien in September 2023 before removing her as chair in September 2024. In September 2025, Suffolk Superior Court Judge Robert Gordon overturned the removal, finding it was unsupported by substantial evidence and ordering O’Brien reinstated with back pay and benefits.

The new lawsuit argues that O’Brien’s suspension and removal were part of a continuing retaliation campaign connected to her reports about enforcement, management, product testing, licensing and other issues at the commission.

O’Brien is bringing a whistleblower claim against the Treasury and CCC, along with Massachusetts Civil Rights Act and invasion-of-privacy claims against Goldberg individually. She is seeking compensatory damages, additional lost wages and benefits where allowed under state law, injunctive relief, attorneys’ fees and other damages. The complaint also demands a jury trial.

Elizabeth Dionne, the Republican nominee challenging Goldberg for state treasurer in November, cited the lawsuit Friday while criticizing Goldberg’s handling of O’Brien and the commission.

Goldberg and the other defendants had not filed responses to the new complaint as of Friday.