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, Minnesota's interim cannabis czar, is stepping down from her post, Gov. Tim Walz announced on Monday.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KFGO) – Charlene Briner is stepping down as interim director of the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management. Briner has been serving in the role since September of 2023 and has overseen the creation and implementation of the office. She also oversaw the creation of regulations for the legal marijuana business in the state.

Plus: First bird flu death in the U.S.; new chair on the Duluth school board, Vikings coach says he wants to stay in Minnesota and more.

The interim director of the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management, who has led the office since it was created, is stepping down.

Charlene Briner, the interim director of the state’s Office of Cannabis Management is stepping down, just before the licensing process for new cannabis businesses is set to begin.

This is the third person to serve as the head of the Office of Cannabis Management since it was created in August 2023.

Eric Taubel will take on an interim leadership role after Charlene Briner steps down as director of the state’s cannabis office.