M.S., Mental Health Counseling, Fitchburg State University
B.A., Political Science, University of Massachusetts Boston
Overview
Jennifer Flanagan serves as senior advisor for Vicente LLP. She most recently served as one of the inaugural commissioners on the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission, having been appointed by Governor Charlie Baker in 2017. In this role, she directed the administration of the laws enabling consumer access to medical and adult-use cannabis in the Commonwealth. As the public health appointee to the Commission, Commissioner Flanagan played an extensive role in crafting, implementing, and executing the regulations that guided Massachusetts’ nascent cannabis industry.
Prior to joining the Commission, Jennifer served in the Massachusetts General Court for over 13 years, including four terms as the State Senator for the Worcester and Middlesex District and two terms as the State Representative for the 4th Worcester District. She served on several committees while in office, including as vice-chairperson of the Committee on Ways and Means, chairperson of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery; chairperson of the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities; chairperson of the Special Senate Committee on Addiction Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Options; and vice-chair of the Joint Committee on Public Health.
Throughout her tenure in elected office, Jennifer became a national policy leader through her continued focus on mental health and substance abuse issues. As chair of the Senate Special Committee on Opioid Addiction in 2014, she co-authored and shepherded landmark legislation mandating health insurance coverage for substance abuse disorder treatment for up to 14 days. In her role leading the National Task Force on Mental Health and Substance Abuse Disorders of Women in Government, Jennifer co-authored a policy toolkit that is in use by local and state governments across the nation.
Former Commissioner Flanagan has close ties to her community. She currently serves on the Board of Trustees for Fitchburg State University, the Executive Board and Board of Trustees for RFK Community Alliance in Lancaster, Massachusetts, the Advisory Board of Trustees for the Seven Hills Foundation in Worcester, Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Advisory Board for the ParentChild+ program, and the Advisory Board for the UMass Women into Leadership program at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
Jennifer received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Massachusetts Boston and a Master of Science degree in Mental Health Counseling from Fitchburg State University.
Experience
Leadership & Community Involvement
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Executive Board, RFK Community Alliance
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Member, District Attorney Joe Early's Central Massachusetts Opioid Task Force
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Member, Advisory Board of Trustees, Seven Hills Foundation
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Member, Advisory Board, Recovery Centers of America
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Member, Advisory Board, UMass Women into Leadership Program, University of Massachusetts Amherst
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State Senator, Worcester and Middlesex District, Massachusetts
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State Representative, 4th Worcester District, Massachusetts
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Vice-Chair, Committee on Ways and Means
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Chair, Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery
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Chair, Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities
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Vice-Chair, Joint Committee on Public Health
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Chair, Special Senate Committee on Addiction Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Options
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Chair, Senate Special Committee on Opioid Addiction
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Leader, National Task Force on Mental Health and Substance Abuse Disorders of Women in Government
Publications
Insights
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Co-author, "Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission Proposes Draft Amended Regulations: What You Need to Know," August 9, 2023
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Co-author, "Cannabis License Types and Timelines in Maryland Adult-Use Regulation Bill Awaiting Governor's Signature," April 12, 2023
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Co-author, "Massachusetts Enacts Significant Changes to Marijuana Laws: What You Need to Know," August 11, 2022
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Author, "Why It’s Crucial for New York Cannabis Entrepreneurs to Communicate with Government Officials," August 4, 2022
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Author, "Recap: Cannabis Regulators Association External Stakeholders Meeting," June 16, 2022
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Author, "Cultivating Cannabis Industry Relationships: 7 Tips for Effective Communications with Public Officials," March 9, 2022
External Publications
- Co-author, "The Evolution of the Cannabis Industry in Massachusetts," Bloomberg Law, October 2022
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Author, "Cannabis reform in Mass. a win-win for industry, state," Worcester Telegram & Gazette, August 2022
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Co-author, "Cannabis State Regulatory Agencies," LexisNexis Practical Guidance® Practice Note, January 2022
Events
- Speaker, New England Cannabis Convention, "Creating Diversity Hiring Plans in MA,” Boston, March 10, 2023
- Moderator, Amica 2023 Rhode Island Legislative Planning Session, "Cannabis Legalization in Rhode Island,” Online, November 30, 2022
- Speaker, Vicente Sederberg LLP, "Massachusetts Cannabis Regulatory Update,” Online, August 31, 2022
- Speaker, New York Cannabis & Hemp Convention 2022, "From Neighboring Regulators: Local Happenings, Industry Trends, and What They Wish Licensees Knew When Starting Out,” Albany, August 27, 2022
- Speaker, GTI LEAP Social Equity Cannabis Licensing Series, "Operating a Cannabis Business in Connecticut,” Online, April 05, 2022
- Speaker, Fire Prevention Association of Massachusetts Annual Meeting, "Cannabis Legalization: Safety in Massachusetts,” Plympton, March 08, 2022
- Speaker, Vermont Dept. of Health Youth Cannabis Policy Conference, "Cannabis Legalization and Youth—The Massachusetts Experience,” Online, September 23, 2021
- Speaker, Vicente Sederberg LLP, "Cannabis Policy & Your New Jersey Community: Municipal Working Session,” Webinar, June 24, 2021
- Speaker, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, "Cannabis in Massachusetts: The Latest in Compliance, Government Relations, and Interstate Growth,” Virtual, June 17, 2021
- Keynote, Worcester Business Journal - The Business of Cannabis 2021, "State of the State - Worcester,” Virtual, June 16, 2021
In the Media
- NJ.com, "N.J. Minority Cannabis Entrepreneurs Get Boost for State’s Biggest Industry Event in June.," May 28, 2021