Dominique Mendiola is the Senior Director of Colorado’s Marijuana Enforcement and Natural Medicine Division, responsible for the licensing and regulation of Colorado’s cannabis and natural medicine industries. A nationally recognized leader in cannabis regulation, Mendiola’s experience spans over a decade, reflecting key contributions in the implementation and evolution of first- and second-in-the-nation programs for state-regulated access to cannabis and psychedelics in the State of Colorado.

Since joining the Department in 2014, she held several key positions, including Deputy Director and as Colorado’s Director of Marijuana Coordination under former Governor John Hickenlooper. Mendiola was appointed Senior Director of the Marijuana Enforcement Division in 2021. Her role expanded in 2023, when she was tasked to lead the implementation and oversight of a new statewide program for regulated access to psilocybin and other natural medicines. Mendiola also served as President of the Cannabis Regulators Association, a nonpartisan international group of cannabis regulators.

Before her career in state government, Mendiola practiced law and provided crisis intervention services to victims of violent crimes. These early experiences inspired Mendiola’s commitment to public service.