A board member of the state's cannabis regulating board has been confirmed by the New York state Senate to lead the panel, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Monday.

Hochul nominated Jessica García to replace Tremaine Wright as chair of the state Cannabis Control Board, who left last week just weeks after saying she had no plans to leave the job after her annual salary was eliminated in the budget.

Control Board members serve three-year terms, including the chair, which is nominated by the governor. Wright was nominated and confirmed in 2021. Her term ended in 2024. García has served on the board since 2021.

“Jessica García has served on the Cannabis Control Board for over three years, helping to bolster an equitable cannabis industry in New York State, and meets all of the requirements to serve as chair," Hochul’s spokesperson Kassie White said in a statement last week regarding her nomination. "The state thanks Tremaine Wright for her service as chair over the past few years.”

Wright told Spectrum News 1 exclusively last month that she had no plans on leaving her role, despite the $229,000 annual salary being cut from the recent state budget. Wright said she knew the salary was under negotiation and that she didn't take the job for the pay. The budget changed compensation to be in line with other state boards with a stipend.

The Office of Cannabis Management referred all questions to Hochul’s office, and would not answer questions about if or when Wright was notified she would not be returning as chair.

García is assistant to the president of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), according to the Office of Cannabis Management website.