Christina Dempsey is the Deputy Director of Government Affairs for the California Department of Cannabis Control. In this role, she serves as the department's liaison to the state legislature and elected officials at the local, state and federal levels.

Christina was one of the first cannabis staff hired by the State of California and, during nearly six years under two Governors, helped develop the state’s early approaches to market oversight. She helped establish the state’s Department of Cannabis Control and was appointed as its first Policy & Research Director.

As a state regulator, Christina directed a $20 million grant program, two multi-million dollar public awareness campaigns, and the development of a state web portal and public data tool. She was recognized twice by the California Department of Public Health with awards for extraordinary service, including for supporting crisis response and public messaging during EVALI – a national health crisis caused by contaminated vaping products.

Christina has extensive experience developing statutory and regulatory frameworks, managing public affairs, and directing multi-agency government initiatives. She served as an inaugural member of the S3 Collective’s Government Advisory Board and previously co-chaired the national Cannabis Regulators Association (CANNRA) Public Health and Data Committee.

Christina has an MBA from Rollins College and bachelor's degrees in Risk Management & Insurance and Business Management from Florida State University. She lives in Sacramento, California with her wife and two sons.