Gov. Tim Walz Appoints Cannabis Entrepreneur To Form & Lead Minnesota's New Marijuana Agency

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) named the first executive director of the state's new Office of Cannabis Management on Thursday, saying that she “is a proven and effective leader, who will be successful in standing up Minnesota’s new adult-use cannabis market and helping Minnesotans succeed in the industry.” 

Erin DuPree will oversee the state’s move to a legal market for full-fledged cannabis products. Minnesota launched its adult-use cannabis program this past August.

DuPree will take charge of refining and enforcing boundaries around the various aspects of cannabis from growth to sale. 

Firm Grasp Of Cannabis Industry

In an interview, reported by Minnesota’s MPR News, Dupree said she has a firm grasp of the cannabis landscape having founded Loonacy Cannabis Co. as well as having been a business consultant for nearly two decades.

“I’m a good fit because I am young enough to be able to connect with the people who are going to be actively entering this industry as we create it,” DuPree said after her appointment. “But I'm experienced enough to deal with the real problems that businesses are going to run into trying to be a part of this industry. I am here to not only serve Minnesotans but to serve Minnesota businesses.” 

DuPree added that that she’s familiar with the regulatory side of cannabis and her lack of prior government service might be an asset.

“Because I don't have a background in that I don't have any baggage,” she said. “You know, I'm coming here with an open mind and ready to work with everybody.”

When she begins her job in early October, she will build the Office of Cannabis Management from the ground up, starting with an initial nine positions and eventually 150 employees. 

“It is a big job,” said Rep. Zack Stephenson, DFL-Coon Rapids, who helped write the law that legalized the possession and use of marijuana. 

DuPree said while the move to a retail market is a heavy lift, Minnesota has other states that have already legalized marijuana to draw from.

“Some of the challenges that other states have had, we’re going to try to avoid,” she said. “Being the 23rd state to legalize, we’re lucky enough to look back on the other 22 states, see what has worked and what hasn’t worked. And we don’t have to reinvent the wheel here.” 

Courtesy photo