Editor’s note: Este artículo está traducido al español.

As Maj. Gen. Ondra Berry retired from the Nevada National Guard in 2024, he told Gov. Joe Lombardo that if there was any way he could continue his service to the state, he would be happy to do so.

When a spot opened up at the Cannabis Compliance Board, which manages the state’s regulation of the industry, the governor’s office took Berry up on that offer. When January 2025 rolled around, Lombardo appointed the former Reno assistant police chief to the board.

On Dec. 22, Lombardo announced that Berry would now chair the board, with the governor praising his law enforcement background.

“Berry brings decades of extensive experience with the Nevada National Guard and Reno Police, offering valuable insights into Nevada’s cannabis regulations,” Lombardo wrote in a statement. “I am confident he will provide strong leadership in enforcing, licensing and ensuring public safety related to cannabis.”

The Sun spoke with the new chair about his goals and the challenges the industry is facing as he takes on the new role.

What do you consider your priorities going from being a board member to CCB chair?

My top focus is ensuring that Nevada’s cannabis regulatory system remains fair, consistent and centered on public safety. My role is to ensure that it’s regulated effectively and responsibly in accordance with the law. … It’s protecting the consumers through strong testing, making sure that we take care of those businesses that are doing things legally in Nevada … protect our community, safeguard our youth, strengthen public confidence, that’s my whole life, and making sure there’s just good transparency.

I always think it’s fair to make sure the public knows how and why decisions are made. And I like the open meetings. I like the open communication. I like the accountability that comes behind that, because that ensures the integrity of the board is maintained, and that’s always been crucial for any industry that I’ve been in.

The CCB has been pretty open about the need for greater enforcement capability, as noted in its biannual report. How would you want to pitch the Nevada Legislature on what’s needed and increasing those resources?

I have a responsibility to do a deeper dive into where the needs are: Where are the gaps, where are the blind spots, where do we need better enforcement or regulation? And it depends heavily on those subject matter experts, Director (James) Humm and his staff … as well as the governor’s office (and) our community partners, to see where the needs may be. If you ask me to go and to be a voice or to stand up and testify, then I have a responsibility to have the most informed information possible.

In these early stages, has anything popped up or something you’ve noted to take a further look at?

I take very serious the work that’s being done, and know that the public really — this is the question I get asked — count on us to do it right, do it fair and continue to maintain that transparency and trust.

Those are some of the things I get asked about, and I can promise you, that’s what you will see from me.

You can expect me to continue to do the great work that’s come from the leadership of those before me. Our previous chair, I thought the world of and thought she did a phenomenal job, and she’s opened the door for me to reach out anytime I needed to — and I’m going to take advantage of that.

From fiscal year 2022 to 2024, taxable cannabis sales in the state decreased from $965 million to $829 million. Why do you think that is, and what role do you think the CCB can play in supporting the economic benefit of the industry?

I don’t think it’s our responsibility to ensure that we have an increase. I think it’s our responsibility to ensure those businesses have the opportunity to operate within the law, within the expectations and regulations. And so if we can create more seamless ways for them to come before us, or more easier ways to get through the process or give opportunities for them to come in and say how can we better get the word out, then that may be some ways we can support.

But I don’t want to make it a goal that this industry’s No. 1 responsibility is to increase versus making sure it’s fair. And knowing that there’s a return on investment: How we fund our education fund through this.

Our job is to clear the path and that they have every opportunity to grow the business, because we can’t determine somebody else’s economic abilities to increase or decrease. We just have to make sure it’s fair and that we follow all the laws and regulations to give them the opportunity to grow.

If there’s anything that we haven’t talked about that you think is worth mentioning, the floor is yours.

It’s important for people to know that Nevada has been a national leader in cannabis regulation. And that’s my goal: to make sure that we continue to lead and provide the opportunities for our state to remain in the forefront, and that we have the trust and confidence of the industry, those who work internally, citizens and to let them know that this will be one of those boards that is doing what’s right.

We’re going to do everything on our watch to ensure that we continue to be a national leader.