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May 23, 2024

CT hires first cannabis ombudsperson, as number of medical marijuana patients is on decline

Contributed Erin Gorman Kirk
By Skyler Frazer

After a lengthy search and more than a half-year late from when it was promised, state officials have named Connecticut’s first cannabis ombudsperson tasked with representing the interests of medical marijuana patients and their caregivers.

Connecticut Acting Healthcare Advocate Sean King this week announced that Erin Gorman Kirk, of Norwalk, will serve the post, which is also touted as the first such position in the country. Her first day on the job is scheduled for May 28.

Gorman Kirk is the founder of Cannabis Government Strategies, and she has a background in cannabis and hemp policy advising in several states, including Connecticut, according to the Office of the Healthcare Advocate (OHA).

The position, which was created in legislation passed in 2023, was originally supposed to be filled in October, but that never happened. According to OHA, Gorman Kirk was selected over more than 800 applicants with input from patients and legislators.

Medical cannabis users and advocates have supported the creation of the ombudsperson to ensure medical users aren’t left behind as the state’s recreational industry continues to grow.

Since recreational sales launched in January 2023, the number of registered medical marijuana patients in the state has declined by 18%, to about 40,028 patients at the end of April 2024, according to Department of Consumer Protection data.

Some medical patients have expressed concerns that their medicine of choice — like a particular cannabis strain or product — has been harder to find as the state’s growers shift their focus to supplying the adult-use market.

There have also been numerous complaints filed over the years against medical marijuana growers, related to product quality and other issues.

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