Marietta D’Agostino has  been hired to fill the medical marijuana manager position in Maine.  The position has been vacant since November when John Thiele was dismissed after resigning then retracting his resignation.

D’Agostino has a background in social services, working as a juvenile corrections officer, a child protective caseworker, and a captain at the TWo Bridges Regional Jail.

In a statement, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services said that her “diverse experience in developing policy and program management, as well as familiarity with law enforcement, makes her a good fit” for the position.

D’Agostino was not available for an interview Thursday, but DHHS spokesman John Martins did tell the press that her annual salary will be $54,745.

Medical marijuana advocates were concerned by Thiele’s sudden departure, but after meeting with D’Agostino on Thursday they are optimistic about the program’s future.  Paul McCarrier, legislative liaison for the Medical Marijuana Caregivers of Maine met with D’Agostino and said of the meeting, “We were impressed with how willing they are to hear our concerns and help engineer a system that best serves patients.”

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