Olmsted County Commissioner Laurel Podulke-Smith selected to represent Association of Minnesota Counties on statewide Cannabis Advisory Council
October 27, 2023
Minnesota is the 23rd state in the nation to legalize cannabis use for people 21 and older. As this legislation rolls out statewide, Olmsted County Commissioner Laurel Podulke-Smith will be playing an important role as a member of the Cannabis Advisory Council. Podulke-Smith was appointed to serve in this role by the Association of Minnesota Counties’ (AMC) Executive Committee.
“This is a critical appointment for AMC, as we work to bring the county perspective to this statewide council,” stated AMC President Mary Jo McGuire.
The Cannabis Advisory Council will serve as an advisory body to the Office of Cannabis Management, an office responsible for the broader oversight of the cannabis industry in Minnesota. Specific duties of the Cannabis Advisory Council include:
- Reviewing national cannabis policy.
- Examining the effectiveness of state cannabis policy.
- Reviewing developments in the cannabis industry and hemp consumer industry.
- Reviewing developments in the study of cannabis flower, cannabis products, artificially derived cannabinoids, lower-potency hemp edibles, and hemp-derived consumer products.
- Taking public testimony.
- Making recommendations to the Office of Cannabis Management.
“Minnesota’s new cannabis legislation will affect both public health and public safety profoundly, in known and unknown ways. I have been following the cannabis issue closely, including the cannabis industry as a whole, and am well poised to adjust to the shifting landscapes of the reality of adult cannabis legalization, and its effect on counties,” said Podulke-Smith.
Podulke-Smith will be attending quarterly meetings of the Cannabis Advisory Council, several meetings per year of the Office of Cannabis Management, as well as meetings with the AMC Cannabis Task Force. Once the Cannabis Advisory Council starts meeting, she anticipates dedicating several hours a week to this appointment.
Podulke-Smith plans to share information and learnings from the Cannabis Advisory Council with her fellow county commissioners at board meetings and retreats.
“At the end of every county board meeting, commissioners have the opportunity to share committee reports. I will use that opportunity to update the board, as well as county staff and the public, on important developments from the Cannabis Advisory Council.”
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Media Contact: Rachel Wick, Communications Specialist, 507-328-6537