I often write about the big picture questions we’re working through as we finally establish a working regulatory system for medicinal cannabis in California. There are a ton of issues to work through: transportation, banking, consumer protections, track and trace etc. We need to get these right the first time, so of course we should spend a lot of time discussing the “what, when and how” of the new regulations.

But we shouldn’t overlook the “who,” and by that I mean the men and women who will be, in essence, helping to structure this industry from the ground up. The Governor’s Bureau of Medicinal Marijuana has an excellent team of dedicated professionals, and one of the most important voices in that team is the Senior Policy Advisor, Dr. An-Chi Tsou.

When I heard the news that Governor Brown had appointed her to that position, I had one thought: this is fantastic! She has a unique background an understanding of this issue, and I know she is going to make some impressive contributions in her new role.

She first started working in public policy in 2013, as a Capitol Science & Technology Fellow. She has a PhD in bioengineering from UC Berkeley, and applied for the fellowship, which aims to bring more scientists into public policy. She got assigned to the office of the then-Health Committee Chairman, my good friend, Assembly member Rob Bonta.

Now, if you recognize that name, it’s because he—along with his colleagues Ken Cooley, Reginald Jones Sawyer, Jim Wood and Senator Mike McGuire—helped craft the new set of laws that were enacted this year. An-Chi  was part of the team that helped push those bills over the finish line.

She is a great fit for this position. She knows the science, she knows the policy process inside and out, and she knows the structure of the industry left right and sideways. I am very excited to be working with her as we sort through a number of these issues. I talked to An-Chi  about what she is focusing on, and I want to share some of her thoughts with you.

On her impressions so far…

Working at the Bureau has been great so far.  I have always wanted to work at a start-up of some sort and I think this may be as close to a start-up as one may be able to get in state government! 

There are not many opportunities to help draft a historical part of law and also take part in its implementation; I am really grateful to be able to do both.  It has also been a huge challenge that has taken a lot of energy, stamina, and patience even in the first few months I have been with the Bureau, but I think it will be worth the countless working hours in the end. 

My background is in scientific research – but I entered the world of public policy so that I could help use my analytical skills and experience to help make an impact on society, and working at the Bureau is a perfect chance to do just that.

As we have gone through our informational sessions in preparation for our pre-regulatory stakeholder meetings, I have been encouraged by the amount of participation by stakeholders throughout the state.  But we also have a number of challenges that we continually need to adjust to such as new legislation, pending initiatives, collaborating with multiple agencies with different perspectives, and learning about new innovations within the industry, just to name a few. 

Some of the most useful things for me to remember have been to take each day one at a time, stay flexible, and not overwhelm myself with all of the huge tasks we have in front of us.

On her goals for the year…

During my first year, my goal is to assist the Bureau with developing strong and reasonable regulations to implement the Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act. This includes helping engage stakeholders statewide, learning more about the industry, and continuing fostering strong relationships with staff at our sister agencies.

On her philosophy of working with the industry…

I think it is important to listen and have an open mind.  Although I am very familiar with our medical cannabis laws, I am by no means an industry expert and so I am learning every day by working with industry entrepreneurs and other stakeholders.  Collaboration with stakeholders and being open to different viewpoints is critical to making sure we weigh all potential options when creating regulations.  By having all of the stakeholders working together, we will be able to create an effective regulatory system for California.

My final thoughts? An-Chi has such a unique perspective, and will be a real asset to the industry, the Bureau and the implementation effort across the board.  I think she was a phenomenal choice, and I look forward to working with her.