The Natalie M. LaPrade Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission develops policies, procedures, and regulations to implement programs that ensure medical cannabis is available to qualifying patients in a safe and effective manner. The Commission oversees all licensing, registration, inspection, and testing measures pertaining to Maryland’s medical cannabis program and provides relevant program information to patients, physicians, growers, dispensers, processors, testing laboratories and caregivers.
Natalie LaPrade
Natalie LaPrade was the mother of Baltimore City Delegate Cheryl Glenn. Delegate Glenn was one of the leading sponsors of Medical Marijuana legislation. Mrs. LaPrade was born in Lynchburg, Virginia in 1923. She moved to Baltimore and raised her family there. Mrs. LaPrade died of kidney cancer at the age of 87. She instilled in her children the importance of public service and helping others. Delegate Glenn believed that medical marijuana, if available, would have made her mother more comfortable and eased her pain in the last months and weeks of her life.
Executive Staff
Executive Director
Joy A. Strand
joy.strand@maryland.gov
Director of Enforcement and Compliance
Scott Simmons
scotte.simmons@maryland.gov
Director of Administration
Mary Jo Mather
maryjo.mather@maryland.gov
Director of Program Analytics (METRC) and Quality Assurance
Fakiza Rahman
fakiza.rahman@maryland.gov
Deputy Director/Director of Laboratory Compliance
Lori Dodson
lori.dodson1@maryland.gov
Communications Department
Natalie Whylie (Outreach/Communications Coordinator)
natalie.robinsonwhylie@maryland.gov
or
Shannyn Mack (Outreach/Communication Coordinator)
shannyn.mack@maryland.gov
Regional Enforcement and Compliance Investigative Supervisors
MMCC Headquarters
Craig Williams, Enforcement & Compliance Investigator
craigs.williams@maryland.gov
Central Division
Todd Liddick, Senior Enforcement & Compliance Supervisor
toddw.liddick@maryland.gov
Anne Arundel County
Baltimore County
Baltimore City
Carroll County
Harford County
Carroll County
Cecil County
Eastern Region
James Pilchard, Senior Enforcement & Compliance Supervisor
james.pilchard1@maryland.gov
Calvert County
Caroline County
Cecil County
Charles County
Dorchester County
Kent County
Prince George's County
Queen Anne's County
Saint Mary's County
Somerset County
Talbot County
Wicomico County
Worchester County
Western Region
Mark Rodeheaver, Senior Enforcement & Compliance Supervisor
mark.rodeheaver1@maryland.gov
Allegany County
Frederick County
Garrett County
Howard County
Montgomery
Washington County
Commissioners
There are currently 16 members serving on the Commission.
Brian P. Lopez (Chairman), is a partner and the Executive Vice President for Osprey Property Company, where he oversees the company’s multi-family and affordable housing portfolio. Prior to joining Osprey Property Company, he was a loan officer for AGM Financial Services, Inc., and a project manager for Safeway, Inc. Lopez received his Master’s in Real Estate Development from Johns Hopkins University. Lopez fills a vacancy for a member of the public or a patient who supports medical cannabis position on the Commission.
Jinlene Chan, M.D., M.P.H., is the Assistant Secretary of Health with the Maryland Department of Health. She previously served as the Acting Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services and as the Health Officer in the Anne Arundel County Department of Health in Annapolis, Maryland. She developed and implemented initiatives to improve the behavioral health care system in Anne Arundel County by working closely with mental health, social services and criminal justice partners as well as working on infant health initiatives, chronic disease prevention programs, and public health emergency preparedness planning. She completed her medical training at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC and residencies in pediatrics and general preventive medicine at the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD. Dr. Chan also holds a Master of Public Health degree from Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Ehsan Abdeshahian, M.D., currently serves as a staff physician with specialties in pain and sports medicine for Advanced Pain Management Specialists. Dr. Abdeshahian received his medical degree from St. George’s University in Grenada, Spain, and completed his residency at the State University of New York – Downstate University Hospital. Dr. Abdeshahian fills one of the three licensed physician positions on the Commission.
Alvin W. Davis, M.D., currently serves as a partner at the Cumberland Anesthesia and Pain Management Associates, where he specializes in cardiac/thoracic anesthesia. He received his medical degree from the George Washington University School of Medicine. Dr. Davis fills one of the three licensed physician positions on the Commission.
Jeffrey R. Gahler is the Harford County Sheriff, a position he has held since 2014. Prior to being elected sheriff, he served 28 years with the Maryland State Police where grew from a cadet to a captain. Gahler received his Master’s of Science in Management from Johns Hopkins University. Sheriff Gahler fills the law enforcement representative position on the Commission.
John Gontrum, Esq., has been with the Comptroller of Maryland since 2011, and serving as the Assistant Comptroller since May of 2015. In that position he is the liaison between the Office of the Comptroller and the Maryland Board of Public Works which, among its responsibilities, controls state procurement policy, adopts procurement regulations, approves most contracts entered into by the state exceeding $200,000, approves the expenditure of all general obligation bonds, and approves the expenditure of funds for capital improvements. Mr. Gontrum previously served as the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Office of the Comptroller, representing the agency before the Maryland General Assembly. Mr. Gontrum received a B.A. from Gettysburg College and a J.D. from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law.
Charles P. LoDico, M.S., F-ABFT, is currently a senior chemist/toxicologist for the Department of Health and Human Services. He received his Master’s in Pharmacology/Toxicology from Long Island University, School of Pharmacy. LoDico, who has been widely published in peer-reviewed journals, was nominated by the University of Maryland Medical Center. His appointment fills a vacancy for a scientist with experience in the science of cannabis and nominated by a state research institution on the Commission.
Jeanie Gilmor Marshall, RN, BSN, is a registered nurse (RN) at Gilchrist Hospice, caring for patients from admissions to end of life. Previously, she worked as an oncology RN at Mercy Hospital on the Surgical Oncology floor. Ms. Marshall received her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing at Stevenson University, a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Special Education from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland, and holds a graduate Certification in PDD/Autism from Johns Hopkins Hospital.
Barry G. Pope is the Drug Rebate Manager and PBM Clinical Pharmacist for Conduent State Healthcare, LLC. He has been a registered pharmacist for 20 years, where he has experience servicing large Medicaid populations. Mr. Pope received his Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmacy from the Arnold and Marie Schwartz School of Pharmacy. Pope was recommended for this appointment by the Maryland Pharmacy Association and fills a vacancy for a licensed pharmacist in the state on the Commission
James R. Pyles is the Director of Safety and Security for the Maryland Department of Health (MDH). Mr. Pyles joined MDH after his retirement in 2015 as a 26-year veteran of the Maryland State Police (MSP). He last served as Major and the Commander of the Northern Command - Criminal Enforcement Division, which included the Central, Northern and Western Commands and was comprised of nine counties spanning from Garrett to Cecil counties. In this position, he oversaw all criminal and narcotics investigators and their work in the northern half of the state. His areas of responsibilities while at MSP included auto theft, public corruption, insurance fraud, environmental crimes, gang unit, computer crimes unit, insurance fraud, child recovery, human trafficking, digital forensics laboratory, Maryland Center for Missing Children, Maryland State Apprehension Team, technical surveillance, and the Pro-Active Criminal Enforcement Team. Mr. Pyles holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Fairmont State University and a Master’s Degree in Management from Johns Hopkins University. He also serves on the Board of Trustees at Allegany College of Maryland.
Tiffany D. Randolph is an attorney at the law firm Wharton Levin Ehrmantraut & Klein in Annapolis, Maryland. Her practice concentrates on the defense of medical malpractice claims. She defends local physicians, hospitals and healthcare institutions at the trial level in cases alleging medical malpractice negligence. Ms. Randolph’s litigation experience involves fact and expert discovery, motions practice, defending and deposing expert witnesses, and bench and jury trials in the Maryland District and Circuit Courts. Ms. Randolph received her law degree from the University of Maryland School of Law and her undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia. She fills the vacancy for a licensed attorney in the state on the Commission.
Nancy Rosen-Cohen, Ph.D., is an executive management professional with substantial experience in health care reform and corporate development. Dr. Rosen-Cohen is the Executive Director of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. She was appointed to the Governor’s Medical Marijuana Model Program Workgroup in 2011. This group was responsible for developing a model program for facilitating patient access to marijuana for medical purposes. Dr. Rosen-Cohen received a Doctor of Philosophy in Special Education from Indiana University and a Bachelor of Science in Special Education from Butler University.
Charles Smith III (Vice Chairman) has served as the State’s Attorney for Frederick County since 2007. Smith is also a member of the Frederick County Substance Abuse Council and is Chair of the State’s Attorneys’ Coordination Council. Smith received his law degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law. Smith fills the member of the Maryland State’s Attorneys’ Association position on the Commission.
Saundra Washington - Sandy O. Washington – Co-Founder and Executive Director of Lifestyles, Inc., Ms. Washington has been in the social service field for more than 42 years. As the Executive Director, she oversees the organization’s programs which include Human Services, Health Services, Transportation, and Economic Development. Her knowledge of organizational development allowed her to develop the Regional Alzheimer's office in Southern Maryland over 24 years ago, before establishing Lifestyles of Maryland. Ms. Washington has received a number of gubernatorial appointments including the Judicial Nominating Committee. She has also received several awards: Charles County Sheriff's Award; Charles County Commission for Women Trailblazer Award; the Salome Howard Award and an award for serving on the Charles County Commissioners' Nonprofits Grants Advisory Panel.
Scott Welsh is the owner of Maryland Flower and Foliage, where he maintains 160,000 square feet of greenhouse space and 100,000 square feet of outdoor growing areas, manages the day-to-day operations, and works closely with local growers and farmers to produce cuttings, seedlings, and finished products for resale throughout the state. Welsh fills the position of an individual with experience in horticulture and recommended by the Department of Agriculture on the Commission.