Utah Receives 164 Applications for ‘Cannabis Czar’

Utah’s Department of Agriculture and Food has reportedly received 164 applications for the position of “cannabis czar,” who will head cannabis regulations in the state, according to Fox 13 SLC.

The website containing the job posting recorded more than 5,000 visitors, officials said.

“We had a wide range of applicants that included some people who were clearly not qualified and likely interested because of the nature of the job. Others were marginally qualified or qualified and others were very qualified. Interviews will begin soon. We plan to conduct at least two rounds of interviews. But we hope to fill the position shortly after the first of the year.” —Jack Wilbur, spokesperson for the Utah Department of Agriculture, via Fox 13

The “cannabis czar” will head up the regulatory oversight program for implementing medical cannabis cultivation, testing, and distribution in Utah. It’s unclear when the program will be fully deployed or even what the full final specifications of the bill are, as modifications are expected in the next session of the state Congress.

Utah’s medical cannabis legalization process, however, has so far been ripe with controversy. Earlier this month, lawmakers replaced the state’s successful legalization ballot initiative with a much more restrictive law. This move sparked lawsuits from several advocacy organizations who accused officials of suppressing voters; advocates have also accused the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints of improperly influencing state politics.