Olmsted County Commissioner Named to Cannabis Advisory Council

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St. Paul, MN (KROC-AM News) - A member of the Olmsted County Board will serve on the statewide Cannabis Advisory Council.

Commissioner Laurel Podulke-Smith has been selected by the Association of Minnesota Counties' Executive Committee to represent the organization on the Council as it participates in the development of statewide policies and regulations for Minnesota's new cannabis industry. The advisory panel reports to the Office of Cannabis Management, which is responsible for the oversight of the cannabis industry.

“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.

According to a news release, the advisory council's mission includes examining the effectiveness of state cannabis policy, reviewing developments in the cannabis and hemp industries, reviewing cannabis-related research, and making recommendations to the Office of Cannabis Management. Podulke will be required to attend quarterly meetings of the advisory council along with additional meetings of the Office of Cannabis Management and the Association of Minnesota Counties' Cannabis Task Force.