Justin Shrader v. Cannabis Control Commission (SPR 20231623)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records July 27, 2023 SPR23/1623 Andrew Carter, Esq. Associate General Counsel Cannabis Control Commission 2 Washington Square, Second Floor Worcester, MA 01604 Dear Attorney Carter: I have received the petition of Justin R. Shrader appealing the response of the Cannabis Control Commission (Commission) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On June 27, 2023, Mr. Shrader requested the following: [1] [T]he resumes of the candidates selected to be interviewed for the Chief People Officer position at the Cannabis Control Commission. Please redact any Personal Identifiable Information (PII). [2] In addition, please provide the resume(s) of the candidate(s) who moved past the interview stage to meet with the Executive Director and Chairperson.... Please redact any PII. [3] Furthermore, please indicate which candidate(s), if any, was recommended by [the] Chairperson ... for the position.” [4] [T]he interview notes of all interviewers and their assessment scoring sheets. The Commission responded on July 12, 2023, citing Exemptions (c) and (d) of the Public Records Law for withholding responsive records. See G. L. c. 4, § 7(26)(c), (d). Unsatisfied with the Commission’s response, Mr. Shrader appealed, and this case was opened as a result. Subsequent to the opening of this appeal, based on a telephone conversation between this office and an attorney for the Commission on July 25, 2023, I understand that the Commission intends to provide a supplemental response to Mr. Shrader. Accordingly, said response must be provided in a manner consistent with the Public Records Law and its regulations within ten business days. It is preferable to send an electronic copy of the response to this office at pre@sec.state.ma.us. If issues remain unresolved, Mr. Shrader may appeal the substantive nature of the Commission’s supplemental response within ninety days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). One Ashburton Place, Room 1719, Boston, Massachusetts 02108 • (617) 727-2832 • Fax: (617) 727-5914 sec.state.ma.us/pre • pre@sec.state.ma.us

Andrew Carter, Esq. SPR23/1623 Page 2 July 27, 2023 Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Justin R. Shrader