Commission MEMBers and Staff

Commission chair

Sidney Johnson, III

Sidney "Sid" Johnson, III, M.G.A., is a Public Service Assistant at The University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute of Government. Sid is the former Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Administrative Services, Director of Stimulus Accountability, and Director of Implementation for the Commission for a New Georgia.

Danielle Benson

Vice Chair
Danielle Benson

Danielle Benson is a small business owner and Vice President of Candid Construction Services, LLC.

Shane Hudson

Shane Hudson is an attorney with a litigation practice based out of Tifton, Georgia (Hudson Injury Firm) and an owner and operator of a 4th generation pecan farming operation.

Dr. Bill Prather

Bill Prather

William “Bill” Prather, RPh., is a licensed Pharmacist, the past President of the Georgia Board of Pharmacy, and served on the Georgia Board of Pharmacy for 19 years.


Jason Shepherd

Jason M. Shepherd is an attorney specializing in healthcare regulatory law and Part Time Assistant Professor of Political Science at Kennesaw State University School of Government and Internal Affairs.

Dr. John Stewart

John G. Stewart, M.D. is a radiation oncologist and the medical director of radiation oncology at Doctors Hospital of Augusta and a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Medical College of Georgia.

Chuck Welch

Charles "Chuck" Welch, Jr. is a Contractor, former bank director, and former Councilman in the City of Cumming, Georgia.

Executive Director Andrew Turnage

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Andrew L. Turnage, M.Ed

Andrew L. Turnage was appointed Executive Director of the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission in May, 2020. Turnage previously served as State Director for the Georgia Secretary of State, as well as Executive Director for the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers, and the Georgia Board of Nursing. Turnage is also a former Deputy Sheriff in Hall County and a graduate of The University of Georgia.