Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan announced that they have opened an expanded application process, including the use of a dedicated professional recruiter from Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB), to complete the national search for the new director of the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). They also formally appointed Charlene Briner as interim director of OCM.

• For more details, go the news release.
• Applications can be submitted to the Minnesota Careers website. Deadline to apply is Feb. 26.
• Learn more about the position in the job profile (PDF).

NOTE: The Minnesota Careers online job application system will be unavailable from 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15, until 6 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20, due to an upgrade of the computer system that supports the Careers website and other applications. 

Legislative reports now available

OCM submitted its first annual report to the Minnesota Legislature in January. The report provides an overview of the status of Minnesota’s cannabis program and offers recommendations to the legislature to ensure an effective market launch. Recommendations focus on improving the structure of the application and licensing process, strengthening social equity licensing, and unifying supply chains.

• Learn more at the OCM Annual Legislative Report (PDF).

In a separate report, OCM detailed results of a study that aimed to understand the current state of cannabis consumers and cannabis demand in Minnesota.

Among the report findings, Minnesota can expect a robust market for cannabis. The study does qualify its projections, due to some uncertainly about the impact of hemp-derived cannabinoid products on the adult-use market. In addition, data suggest diversion from the regulated medical market into illicit sales.

• Learn more at An Examination of Cannabis Consumers and Cannabis Demand in Minnesota (PDF).

Take our 6th rulemaking public input survey

OCM continues to seek input on a variety of topics as we draft rules for Minnesota’s cannabis industry. Our sixth public input survey, which covers laboratory standards and edible product standards, is open through Feb. 11.

This survey is part of our first phase of engagement for rulemaking, allowing people a chance to be heard and help shape how the rules are being drafted.

Next opportunity for input

• Available Feb. 12-26: Medical cannabis; patient registry program

Welcome to these OCM employees

Merone Melekin, Outreach Director

Before joining OCM, Merone served as the deputy director of the Minnesota COVID-19 Response at the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), where she helped lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive COVID-19 vaccine plan. Prior to that role, she served as the assistant chief of staff in the Office of Governor Mark Dayton. Merone has been on OCM’s implementation team since this past summer, leading community engagement efforts. She started in her new role at OCM on Jan. 17.

Quincey Traynham, Finance Director

Quincey will join OCM from the University of St. Thomas, where he currently serves as senior accountant in the Office of Academic Affairs. He has 15 years of experience working in the financial industry in the public and private sectors, including roles at the University of Minnesota, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland Public Schools, JPMorgan Chase, and American General Financial. He starts at OCM on Feb. 14.

Apply for these open positions

• Social Equity Director: Submit your application to the Minnesota Careers website. Closes Feb. 26.
• Project Manager: Submit your application to the Minnesota Careers website. Closes Feb. 13.

Guidance for financial institutions

The Minnesota Department of Commerce recently released guidance to provide information to Minnesota-regulated financial institutions interested in working with cannabis-related businesses and how the state intends to regulate and work with those institutions. The guidance highlights basic responsibilities of financial institutions' boards and management regarding cannabis banking.

• Go to the Department of Commerce Guidance Regarding Financial Services to the Cannabis Industry (PDF).

New resources on health effects of cannabis

Explore new online resources from the Minnesota Department of Health about the health effects of cannabis. The Cannabis and Your Health webpage provides information on reducing potential harms from cannabis use. Additionally, view the updated Preventing Unintentional Poisonings from Cannabis Products page to learn more about safe storage and what to do when someone consumes too much THC or reacts badly to a cannabis product.

Implementation Update Webinar recording posted

If you were not able to attend our Implementation Update Webinar on Jan. 30, you can watch a recording of the session on YouTube. The session provided an update on OCM’s implementation work, rulemaking, community outreach, and more.

• Go to the OCM Implementation Update Webinar.