Minnesota regulators have begun the work of setting up a new state cannabis office from scratch — a key first step toward establishing the recreational marijuana market.
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is taking the lead on setting up the state's Office of Cannabis Management and has hired a state government veteran to head the endeavor. Over the next few months, a team comprised of existing regulators and contractors will build the cannabis office's budget and lay the groundwork for hiring at least 100 new state employees, including the agency's director.
"We're building a brand-new industry in Minnesota from seed to sale," said Charlene Briner, who's been contracted by the Agriculture Department to help set up the office. "We've got a lot of work to do to build this retail market so that it is safe, reliable and available to Minnesotans."
