Joint Management: A Q&A with ABC Director Christy Bjornson

This story initially appeared within the debut concern of Arkansas Hashish Occasions, a special publication curated by the Arkansas Times.

Little Rock native Christy Bjornson assumed the position of director of the Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Management Division (ABC) in October 2023. ABC oversees greater than 6,400 alcohol permits statewide and administration of medical marijuana services. With expertise as an lawyer supervisor from DFA’s Workplace of Discipline Audit and deputy prosecuting lawyer for the Sixth Judicial District, Bjornson is thought for navigating advanced authorized terrain, promising to uphold compliance and cultivating optimistic relationships with stakeholders. 

Beforehand, you labored on the DFA’s Workplace of Discipline Audit as lawyer supervisor and on the Pulaski County Prosecutor’s Workplace. How will your previous experiences translate to your new position as director of the ABC?

My profession developed on the prosecutor’s workplace right here in Pulaski County beneath the management of Larry Jegley. By means of nearly seven years of terrific mentors, I walked away from that workplace having honed my expertise as a trial lawyer and with various nice examples of management.  The fast tempo of the courtroom and excessive variety of felony instances taught me tips on how to juggle a busy schedule and a ton of individuals and personalities. My expertise provides me a gentle basis to work via advanced alcohol and medical marijuana authorized points and serves as a framework for implementing {industry} laws.

As ABC director, how do you oversee the operation of Arkansas’s medical marijuana services?  

On the ABC administration facet, we’re the extra in-office part of overseeing medical marijuana services. Similar to a prosecutor takes over a case labored up by the police, my workplace and our workers attorneys assessment violation stories and proof whereas our boots-on-the-ground counterparts in ABC enforcement examine industry-related violations. On any given day we could also be discussing methods to enhance and modernize our public-facing techniques for issues like RIC (Registry Identification Card) card purposes or promulgating new guidelines to align with regulation adjustments. We wish our guidelines to make sense for a rising {industry}, so there may be at all times some part of balancing pursuits in each choice we make. Our assist workers processes over 6,000 purposes for alcohol and medical marijuana permits and renewals yearly — all whereas the cellphone by no means stops ringing.

How do you go about sustaining relationships with allow holders, regulation enforcement and native/state leaders?

I feel the bottom line is clear expectations and clear communication. If you end up clear with folks, they’ll belief you, and I feel that goes a great distance in direction of sustaining relationships. I like fixing issues and serving to folks come to a decision, and I try to make it possible for after strolling away from a dialog, whether or not I agree with the person or not, they know I’ve listened to and thought of their perspective.

What are a few of your targets for the primary yr of your tenure as ABC director?

I’m keen to hurry up the RIC course of — offering updates permitting candidates to use, pay and obtain their playing cards with out having to look in individual for pickup. These are the identification playing cards worn by anybody who works on-site at a medical marijuana facility, each safety and workers. A part of that objective shall be achieved by the establishment of a brand new nationwide licensing software program designed to switch the present MMC administration system. The implementation of this software program is anticipated in early 2024.

How does serving the general public within the state you grew up in really feel?

I couldn’t be prouder to work in public service in my dwelling state. Arkansas is a phenomenal place to stay, filled with a lot expertise and heaps of potential. I’m so happy to be ready the place I will help entrepreneurs from my group launch profitable companies and convey extra jobs to Arkansas, whether or not that be new eating places with alcohol permits or new dispensaries serving certified sufferers.

Once you’re not on the job, what are a few of your favourite issues to do in Central Arkansas?

I hold busy taking part in tennis in an area league, and I like to hit the climbing trails with my pup, Zuko. You may usually discover me at Robinson Auditorium for an evening out on the theater!

Do you have got any enjoyable or uncommon hobbies?

I attempt to win the NYT Wordle and Connections day by day. I feel Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce could be the cutest couple on the planet, and my actuality TV responsible pleasures embody “Survivor” and something on Bravo. 

The publish Joint Control: A Q&A with ABC Director Christy Bjornson appeared first on Arkansas Times.