The interim director of the regulatory agency tasked with oversight of the new cannabis industry is stepping down a month before the state starts accepting license applications to operate legal marijuana businesses.
Charlene Briner has been leading the Office of Cannabis Management in the absence of a permanent director. She stayed in that role much longer than planned after Gov. Walz’s choice to lead the agency withdrew her name from contention following a report she was selling non-compliant THC hemp products.
The general counsel for the office, Eric Taubel, will succeed her as interim director starting Jan. 17, which is her last day.
“It has been an honor to assemble and lead the incredible team at OCM that is building something entirely new and necessary for Minnesota. Turning the words on the pages of a new law into a living, breathing, high-performing office has been some of the most novel, challenging and rewarding work of my career,” Briner said in a statement.
She added that the work was “always intended to be temporary” and that she has confidence in the team that she will leave behind.
Weeks Before Licensing Starts, Minnesota’s Interim Cannabis Chief To Step Down
