New Mexico Cannabis Control Division (CCD) Director Kristen Thomson, who became the division’s first director in November 2021, resigned June 16, according to NM Political Report.

“Yesterday, June 16, 2022, Kristen Thomson submitted her resignation from the position of Director of the Cannabis Control Division of the Regulation and Licensing Department (RLD),” Bernice Geiger, an RLD spokesperson, told the news outlet. “Her resignation was effective at that time. We thank Kristen for her service to the Cannabis Control Division and the State of New Mexico and wish her success in her future endeavors.”

Geiger did not say why Thomson resigned, but revealed that Thomson did not plan to work at the CCD for the remainder of her career, according to NM Political Report.

“I am a creator, not a regulator,” Thomson told the news outlet. “That just was never going to be the role for me.”

She added that she is “honored” to have worked with the CCD.

“Never in my life did I think that would be something that I worked on,” Thomson told NM Political Report. “I’m so proud of the work that was accomplished.”

Carolina Barrera has been appointed as the interim director, the news outlet reported.