Norman Birenbaum, 31, is the principal architect of Gov. Gina Raimondo’s proposal to legalize recreational marijuana use. He plays a leading role in coordinating the administration’s approach to cannabis policy, overseeing the regulation, administration and enforcement of the state’s medical marijuana and industrial hemp programs within the state Department of Business Regulation.
His background is in Massachusetts Democratic politics. A native of Newton, Massachusetts, he was regional director of Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick’s 2010 re-election and also served as regional director for U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren.