Kimberly Roy

Commissioner

Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission

See Kimberly speak on this panel

Commissioner Kimberly Roy was appointed to the Cannabis Control Commission in July 2021 by former Governor Charlie Baker. Since then, Commissioner Roy has worked on several notable projects, including a partnership with the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, AAA Northeast, and additional stakeholders to create and implement Shifting Gears, a curriculum to educate teens on the risks of cannabis-impaired driving–the first of its kind in the nation. Commissioner Roy is passionate about educating the public about responsible consumption and youth prevention, and has penned several op-eds to this end. In her capacity as Commissioner, she conducts community outreach to senior citizens, local public health organizations, and other constituents. She is an advocate for cannabis research and public education funding, as well as removing barriers to veterans’ access to medical marijuana. Currently, Commissioner Roy serves as Treasurer for the Commission and oversees the work of the agency’s Host Community Agreement (HCA) Working Group, which is currently reviewing and updating the Commission’s HCA regulations to comply with Chapter 180 of the Acts of 2022: An Act Relative to Equity in the Cannabis Industry. She is also the liaison to the research subcommittee of the Cannabis Advisory Board.

Commissioner Roy has an extensive background in public safety and substance use disorder prevention having served the past decade as a member of the leadership team at the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office. In her capacity as Director of External Affairs and Communications Director, Commissioner Roy oversaw the Department’s public and media relations and community outreach programs and co-authored its Face2Face substance use disorder prevention and education program, which recognizes the impact of the addiction crisis on the criminal justice system and focuses on youth. 

In addition, Commissioner Roy also served as Director of the Worcester County Reserve Deputy Sheriff’s Association, which sponsors annual charitable events including the Sheriff’s Annual Senior Picnic, Winter Coat Drive, Organic Farm Distribution Program, and Holiday Food Drive for at-risk communities in Worcester County. Previously, Commissioner Roy worked as a Hospital Representative for Johnson & Johnson, working with major teaching hospitals for their anti-infective/analgesic division. She also served on the Board of Trustees for Quinsigamond Community College from 2017-2021.

Commissioner Roy holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Western New England University and Master’s Degree in Professional Communication from Clark University.