Cathy McNally: Report missed info on cannabis world connection

In the Jan. 11 Gazette article on the City Council subcommittee meeting on capping cannabis shops (“To cap or not to cap”), Robin Goldstein, a commenter speaking against the cap, was only partially identified. Goldstein was described as an “economist at UC Davis who specializes in the cannabis industry,” which of course confers the assurance of dependable and disinterested expertise to clueless readers like me. But readers should also know that Mr. Goldstein isn’t just an expert on the economics of cannabis, he also has one financial foot in a proposed marijuana business in Northampton. He, along with family members Sue Stubbs and Barry Goldstein, are the listed owners of Northampton Labs, LLC, a marijuana testing facility. Although the business does not appear to be open yet, there is a host agreement with Northampton viewable on the city’s website, a provisional application with the Cannabis Control Commission, and a website. There is nothing wrong with having two roles in the cannabis world, or opening a business, but when someone has a possible financial interest in an issue, readers should know about it.

Cathy McNally

Northampton