Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan announced today that Charlene Briner will step down after building the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) from the ground up. OCM General Counsel Eric Taubel will serve as interim director.

“Charlene Briner has gotten Minnesota’s emerging cannabis industry off the ground in a safe and responsible way. It’s no easy task to build a regulatory framework around an entirely new industry from scratch, but under Charlene’s leadership, Minnesota laid the foundation for a successful marketplace for years to come,” said Governor Walz. “I am excited to welcome Eric Taubel as the new interim director. Eric is a proven, effective leader who brings legal expertise and a deep understating of state government and regulatory affairs. He will ensure continued growth and success as we work to make Minnesota competitive in this new industry.” 

“Charlene Briner is an instrumental leader who has worked to ensure a safe, equitable, and sustainable cannabis market through the implementation of the Office of Cannabis Management. I’m deeply grateful for her service to our administration and the people of Minnesota,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. “As Eric Taubel steps in to fill this role, he will match her commitment and expertise, utilizing his outstanding legal acumen and strategic vision to ensure an equitable industry that prioritizes public health and maintains market integrity.”

• Read the full release on the Governor's website.