Christy Bjornson, recently appointed chief of the Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Control Division in October 2023 and the Tobacco Control Division in February 2024, emphasizes the importance of collaboration in ensuring effective regulation and compliance within the cannabis and alcohol sectors. Bjornson, who has a background as an attorney supervisor in the state Department of Finance & Administration and served as a deputy prosecuting attorney for the 6th Judicial District, believes that working closely with businesses is key to creating fair regulations.
According to Bjornson, most permit holders are genuinely committed to compliance. She highlights that a collaborative approach is essential for developing regulations that address problems without creating unnecessary obstacles. Bjornson stated that regulations should aim to correct or prevent issues rather than simply catch businesses off guard.
In discussing common compliance issues within the medical marijuana industry, Bjornson noted that the eagerness of permit holders to comply has resulted in relatively few problems. While there have been some serious incidents, such as expired products or employee theft, these issues have been addressed promptly and fairly. She pointed out that inventory tracking challenges do exist, but her team works proactively with facilities to resolve issues and prevent future occurrences.
Bjornson also highlighted that the most prevalent violation seen by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division from retailers is the sale of alcohol to minors. She stressed the importance of responsible sales practices, including proper ID checks and training for servers on how to identify fake IDs. She advises that retailers should prioritize consistent training for their staff to effectively prevent this avoidable violation.
Reflecting on her career, Bjornson mentioned that taking on too many tasks at once has been a challenge. She learned that prioritizing and managing her workload carefully helps to avoid problems and reduces stress in the workplace.
By focusing on these strategies, Bjornson aims to foster a regulatory environment that supports both compliance and business interests in Arkansas’s cannabis and alcohol sectors.
