NORWOOD, Mass., Dec. 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PRESS RELEASE -- MariMed, Inc., a multi-state cannabis operator focused on improving lives every day, today announced with deep sadness that Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and co-founder Robert Fireman died unexpectedly on Dec. 11, 2022.

The company will provide further information on succession once the Board of Directors has had an opportunity to determine the best path forward.

"Bob Fireman worked tirelessly and passionately until his last day as Chairman and CEO of MariMed to fulfill our mission of improving people’s lives, much as he did as a philanthropist who cared so deeply about the people and community around him,” said Jon Levine, president of MariMed. “He was my business partner and dear friend, and I look forward to honoring his legacy by achieving our shared vision for the company. He was one-of-a-kind and will be deeply missed by his family, his wide circle of friends, the cannabis community that he helped build, and the entire MariMed family.”

Fireman served as CEO of MariMed since 2017 and a member of its Board of Directors since the company’s formation. An early pioneer and visionary in the industry, under his leadership the MariMed team applied for and was awarded legal cannabis licenses in several states across the United States and developed and operated state of the art, regulatory compliant cannabis cultivation, production, and retail facilities.

A practicing attorney for over 30 years, Fireman’s legal acumen and entrepreneurial experience in diverse industries served were instrumental in navigating MariMed through the complex, highly-regulated, emerging cannabis industry.

Fireman is survived by his wife and partner for more than 40 years, Ellen Porter Fireman.

"On behalf of the entire MariMed family, we extend our deepest condolences to Ellen and the Fireman and Porter families," said Levine.