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Johnathan Gerhardt

Bureau Chief, Cannabis and Hemp Bureau
New Mexico Environment Department, New Mexico, United States

Johnathan Gerhardt is the Cannabis and Hemp Bureau Chief for the New Mexico Environment Department, where he provides leadership over the Bureau’s administrative and programmatic functions, financial management, and technical direction to effectively and efficiently achieve the Bureau and Agency strategic goals and objectives. He leads Bureau engagement with other NM agencies and stakeholders to foster understanding and collaboration in the rapidly evolving hemp and cannabis industries.

Prior to his current position, Johnathan was the state’s Food Program Manager and oversaw the modernization of the state’s food regulations, fostering food safety for NM’s restaurants, schools, manufacturers, and special events. He also secured multiple federal grants and contracts resulting in additional program income and jobs, as well as national acknowledgement for the state’s Manufactured Food and Molluscan Shellfish Programs.

A University of New Mexico graduate, Johnathan has worked for NMED for over 23 years. In addition to his efforts to promote food, hemp and cannabis safety in NM, he has also serves as the Co-Chair of the Association of Food & Drug Officials National Cannabis Committee, as well as Committee Chairman, Board Member, and previous Chairman of the Executive Board for the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference. Serving in these capacities has allowed Johnathan to foster safety and consistency in the food, hemp, and cannabis industries in the U.S., as well as allowing international trade of industry products.

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