Temecula Mayor Matt Rahn appointed as Chair of CA’s newly formed Cannabis Advisory Committee

During its first meeting of 2018, the California Department of Consumer Affairs’ newly formed Cannabis Advisory Committee appointed City of Temecula’s Mayor, Dr. Matt Rahn, as its Chair.

Formed in late 2017, the committee was created to assist in developing rules and regulations for this year’s roll-out of a legal, adult-use, cannabis market in California.

The committee will also advise Bureau of Cannabis Control and other licensing authorities – including the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the California Department of Public Health – on developing regulations intended to help protect public health and safety and reduce the illegal market for cannabis.

The BCC is the lead agency in developing regulations for medical and adult-use cannabis in California, and is responsible for licensing retailers, distributors, testing labs and micro-businesses.

The committee – which serves under the BCC at the direction of Dean R Grafilo, the Director of the Department of Consumer Affairs – received hundreds of applications for the committee during the Board’s selection process, according to Grafilo.

The Department of Consumer Affairs eventually whittled that list down to less than two dozen potential candidates.

“These individuals represent the diverse backgrounds of California and the cannabis industry and have the necessary experience to make the Committee successful,” said Grafilo.

As the only elected official on the 22-member Board – which includes law enforcement officials, physicians, patient rights activists and public health experts, as well as representatives from the cannabis industry, labor and business organizations, environmental groups, and community equity organizations – Rahn has a unique background that brings a “valuable perspective and synergy” to local government.

Rahn, who began working in Temecula in early 2000, already serves on the City of Temecula’s cannabis sub-committee and led the development of a regional workshop for local government and decision-makers.

“Cannabis is an important topic among many communities in California, and it is important that we continue to include the local government perspective” Rahn explained after his appointment as Chair last week. “I look forward to discussing issues such as public safety and education with my Committee colleagues to help guide the development of statewide cannabis regulations.”

The Cannabis Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet every other month. For more information about the committee visit their website.

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Dr. Matt Rahn received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Nevada Reno, his Ph.D. from UC Davis, and his law degree from the University of San Diego.

During his time in public service, Rahn has led the charge on developing a number of initiatives, including the creation of a Senior Master Plan, facilitating regional communication and cooperation on water issues, promoting transportation improvements and infrastructure, advancing higher education opportunities, and developing community-based programs to improve public safety.

Today, most of his work is focused on the interface between science and policy, advising local, state and federal government, law enforcement, fire departments, and private entities on developing ordinances, regulations, and policies that address environmental, economic, and community protection standards.

As a university researcher and educator with more than 20 years experience in higher education and research, Rahn has tackled some of the most fundamental issues facing our state, with a focus on public safety, community resilience, water management, waste management, wildfires, transportation, renewable energy, agriculture, and open space.

He has worked on projects that have improved infrastructure, increased regional energy independence, improved air quality, and enhanced the region’s overall quality of life, ultimately engaging in some of the most consequential projects in the region.

As an elected representative on the Temecula City Council, Rahn works diligently to ensure that Temecula carefully plans its future and to provide safe and healthy communities by pursuing responsible and thoughtful economic and growth opportunities that address environmental, economic, and community perspectives and he can be reached via email.

 

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, who recently moved from Riverside County to Shasta County, runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for Riverside County based newspapers Valley News, The Valley Chronicle and Anza Valley Outlook as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident.

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center and Lake Elsinore Station, along with other locations.