For Immediate Release: Tuesday, January 29, 2019
Contact: Dick Thompson, (207) 624-7800
Deputy Commissioner, Department of Administrative and Financial Services
AUGUSTA – Acting Commissioner of the Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services Kirsten Figueroa announced today she is hiring Erik Gundersen to serve as the Department’s point-person to spearhead the implementation of legalized marijuana as established by the Marijuana Legalization Act. Gundersen comes to the Department from the office of Speaker of the House Sara Gideon, where he served as lead policy advisor for the Legislature’s bipartisan Marijuana Legalization Implementation Committee which oversaw all legislation related to marijuana legalization implementation in Maine.
"Erik has spent the last two years deeply embedded in, and often guiding, the Legislature’s efforts to responsibly implement marijuana legalization as approved by Maine voters,” said Commissioner Figueroa. “We welcome his experience, knowledge of ongoing legislative efforts, and skill in navigating the rule-making process as the Administration works to swiftly implement the Marijuana Legalization Act.”
As part of the Department’s efforts to implement marijuana legalization, Gundersen will be charged with creating an office within the Department of Administrative and Financial Services to lead implementation efforts, and will work with Commissioner Figueroa to establish its budget, staffing, and full scope in the coming months. The office will be funded through the Department’s existing budget.
“I am honored to continue working to safely implement the Marijuana Legalization Act as passed by Maine voters in as timely a way as possible,” said Gundersen. “Over the next few months I will lead the Administration’s efforts to work with experts in crafting the Department’s rules and partner with municipal officials, law enforcement, public safety officials and stakeholders to ensure Maine’s marijuana legalization infrastructure is rolled out as smoothly and safely as possible.”
The Department of Administrative and Financial Services announced it is seeking new bid proposals to provide consultant services for rulemaking related to adult-use recreational marijuana and the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana programs Monday. Proposals are due by February 14, 2019, with the RFP anticipating a March 18, 2019 contract start date.
Prior to serving as Policy Advisor for Speaker of the House Sara Gideon and serving as staff person for Marijuana Legalization Implementation Committee House Chair Teresa Pierce (D-Falmouth), Gundersen worked as Special Assistant and Policy Advisor for former Speaker of the House Mark Eves. Gundersen, 35, lives in Portland with his wife Erin and daughter Ainsley.
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Note: A high resolution version of the headshot is available for download (PNG, 12MB).
