Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan cancels cannabis consulting contract and apologizes for ethics concerns.

Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan terminated her paid consulting contract with Veriede Holdings LLC, an affiliate of the cannabis company La Mota, after concerns were raised about a potential conflict of interest and a call from the governor for an investigation of the secretary’s recusal from a state audit on the cannabis industry. Fagan apologized for exercising poor judgment and harming the trust she has built with the people of Oregon. She also emphasized that she wants to rebuild Oregonians’ trust and will release the contract for review by the Government Ethics Commission.