The following is a press release issued by the County of Mendocino:
On March 9th, the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to hire Kristin Nevedal as manager of the county’s cannabis program. She began her duties Monday, March 15th.
“Implementing Mendocino’s cannabis program has been a chronic problem for the county; it has changed departments and hands multiple times compounded with problematic local policy and hundreds of legacy cultivators stuck in the pipeline for years,” says Fifth District Supervisor Ted Williams.
“Untying this knot requires a special candidate. Kristin Nevedal is that candidate, and we are fortunate that she accepted the charge. Her extensive experience in cannabis policy, advocacy, and compliance makes her uniquely qualified to hit the ground running in managing the cannabis program and resolving our permitting backlog,” says Supervisor Williams, who continued by suggesting Ms. Nevedal’s hiring is among the county’s most important in 2021.
“Having such a competent person in this role will allow the Department of Planning and Building to function more effectively and work on other deferred countywide needs,” he concludes.
Third District Supervisor John Haschak notes, “Kristin has an excellent history of cannabis experience at state, regional, and local levels. Her ability to work with stakeholders and governmental entities will serve Mendocino County well.”
Ms. Nevedal’s cannabis resume encompasses local, state, and academic experience. She was co-director for the Humboldt Institute of Interdisciplinary Cannabis Research and an associate faculty member for the Humboldt State University Sociology Department. She worked concurrently as a social science research director and founder for the Center for the Study of Cannabis and Social Policy in Seattle, Washington.
Within the cannabis community, Ms. Nevedal is known for her work with the Bureau of Cannabis Control as a gubernatorial appointee on several subcommittees. She is the founder of the International Cannabis Advisory Farmers Association, has been an education director for the Emerald Cup and the co-founder and vice president of the Humboldt Growers Association.
“I’m excited to be working with the County in its effort to develop and implement a meaningful cannabis regulatory program. I want to thank the Board of Supervisors for their support and confidence. I’m deeply humbled by the opportunity,” says Ms. Nevedal.
“I look forward to working with the Board, County staff, and the cannabis community to address concerns and inefficiencies, improve outcomes, and ensure we can achieve a successful path forward,” she concludes.
