Maria Del Cid, William Wallace and Sam Delgado were appointed to the state’s Cannabis Regulatory Commission on Thursday, completing the five members of what figures to be a prominent and powerful group moving forward.
The Cannabis Regulatory Commission will both regulate New Jersey’s medical cannabis marketplace and also provide oversight for the soon-to-be-established adult-use recreational cannabis marketplace.
Commission Chair Diana Houenou and Krista Nash were appointed previously.
“As we move forward to establish a legal adult-use cannabis marketplace, we could not have a better slate of appointees to lead these efforts,” Gov. Phil Murphy said in a release. “It will take time before we see legal adult-use sales begin, but I know that each and every one of these individuals will act to ensure that the marketplace for adult-use recreational cannabis is equitable, fair and inclusive of all communities.”
Delgado was selected upon the recommendation of Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-Woodbridge), who praised him.
“Sam Delgado’s professional and military service is outstanding, and I strongly believe he is the best person to serve on the Cannabis Regulatory Commission,” Coughlin said. “Sam is an expert in the fields of community leadership, business management, strategic planning, supplier diversity and regulatory policy. He will bring these talents to the commission and is a valued addition.”
Here’s a look at the three appointees:
- Del Cid: Currently serves as the director of policy and legislative services at the New Jersey Department of Health, where she serves as a liaison with the Governor’s Office and to the Legislature. Previously, she served as chief of staff to the late Assemblyman Jerry Green. A resident of Union County, Del Cid received a bachelor’s degree from Seton Hall University. She holds an M.A. in public affairs and politics from the Edward Bloustein School of Planning & Public Policy at Rutgers University. She also holds an associate degree from Union County College, where she founded the Del Cid Dreamer Scholarship, which is awarded to full- or part-time students who are naturalized U.S. citizens, permanent legal residents, DACA recipients or undocumented immigrants pursuing higher education at Union County College.
- Wallace: He is the director of the Professional Division of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union Local 342, where he also serves on the executive board. In this position, Wallace represents and serves union members across multiple companies in New Jersey, Delaware and New York. He previously served as president of UFCW International Union Local 100R. Additionally, Wallace previously worked as a pharmacist-in-charge at several pharmacies across the state of New Jersey. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the Rutgers University College of Pharmacy and is a resident of Green Brook.
- Delgado: He most recently served as vice president of external affairs for Verizon, a position from which he retired in 2019. Before retiring, Delgado was responsible for managing the allocation of grants, supporting Verizon’s philanthropic endeavors and furthering Verizon’s environmental commitments. In his 21 years at Verizon, Delgado also served as director of supplier diversity, director of external affairs for Union and Middlesex counties, and as a human resource manager. Delgado served in the Marine Corps from 1978 to 2000, retiring as a major. He also served as a military adviser to the State Department in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, during Operation Uphold Democracy from 1994 to 1995. He is a recipient of several military honors, including the National Defense Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and the Armed Forced Reserve Ribbon. A resident of Perth Amboy, Delgado has been engaged civically throughout his career. He is a board member of the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey. He received his bachelor’s degree from Marist College.
