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City of Springfield Retains Expert Consultant for the Implementation of Adult Use Marijuana Law and Regulations

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno announced that the City has retained an expert to assist in the process to implement adult use marijuana laws in the City of Springfield with the development of a process for inviting applicants to participate in the City’s RFP process and creation of evaluation criteria.

Mayor Sarno stated, “I am happy to announce that we have engaged the services of Attorney Julie Steiner of Julie E. Steiner Consulting LLC. Her background and experience as an Attorney, Land Use Planning, and in particular, her specialty in Cannabis Law and Policy, will help assure our process is fair, efficient, and thorough.”

Attorney Steiner is a Professor of Law at the Western New England School of Law where she has taught since 2010.  The courses she teaches include Cannabis Law and Policy; Environmental Law; Advanced Environmental Law; Sustainability Law; Torts; Toxic Torts; Land Use; and Introduction to Law. She is a 1994 graduate of Boston University School of Law where she received her law degree, (cum laude) as well as Syracuse University where she received her Bachelor’s degree (summa cum laude) in 1991. 

Prior to teaching at Western New England, Attorney Steiner taught law at St. John’s University School of Law. In addition, Attorney Steiner was previously employed by K&L Gates, LLP of New York, NY, where she practiced Environmental, Land Use and Natural Resource Law, and was also employed at Dewey Ballantine, LLP of New York, NY. In private practice she participated in a wide-ranging environmental practice focusing on administrative, federal and state litigation, corporate transactions, and regulatory compliance.

Attorney Steiner will work with the internal committee consisting of representatives from the Health Department, Police Department, Fire Department, Planning Department, Law Department, Building Department, Public Works Department, Finance Department, City Council and Procurement Department as appointed by the Mayor. City Councilor Tracy Whitfield will represent the City Council on the Committee.

City Solicitor Edward M. Pikula stated, “We welcome Attorney Steiner’s expert advice as to the application, evaluation and selection process for of Marijuana Establishments being given the opportunity to negotiate an HCA with the City. She will help us address the need to protect the public health, safety and welfare of the City’s residents and business in the expansion of this new industry, while meeting the goals of the new marijuana laws in the areas of economic empowerment and social equity in the process.

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Page last updated:  Tuesday, March 1, 2022 01:32 pm