Norm Birenbaum

Norman Birenbaum was appointed as New York State’s Director of Cannabis Programs in December of 2019 to oversee the regulation, administration, and policy development of the state’s medical marijuana and industrial hemp programs and to lead the Cuomo Administration’s efforts to legalize cannabis for adult use. This work culminated in the successful 2021 passage of the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act legalizing cannabis for adult use and creating a consolidated Office of Cannabis Management to oversee all cannabis sectors within the state. Mr. Birenbaum now coordinates adult use cannabis implementation across all state agencies and oversees the establishment of the Office of Cannabis Management.

Mr. Birenbaum is also the inaugural President of the Cannabis Regulators Association, an association whose members represent the primary cannabis regulatory agencies from across the country. The Cannabis Regulators Association allows cannabis regulators to share emerging trends in cannabis legalization and develop best practices in cannabis policy and regulation.

Before joining the Cuomo Administration, Mr. Birenbaum established the Rhode Island Office of Cannabis Regulation where he oversaw Rhode Island’s medical marijuana and industrial hemp programs and led Governor Gina Raimondo’s efforts to legalize cannabis for adult use. Mr. Birenbaum previously served on the staffs of U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren and Governor Deval Patrick.