Two Appointed To New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission
Governor Murphy has begun making appointments to the state’s’ Cannabis Regulatory Commission. Voters approved a measure legalizing the regulation of cannabis.
Dianna Houenou has been appointed as chair of the Cannabis Regulatory Commission.
“Dianna has been a critical voice for social justice and equity on my team for the past year and a half after spending several years working on the fight to legalize marijuana with the ACLU,” said Gov. Murphy. “Her commitment to doing what is right and to leaving no one behind has powered our criminal justice reform agenda, and I am immensely proud that she will be continuing that commitment as chair of the Cannabis Regulatory Commission. Since day one, we have said that the legalization of recreational marijuana must prioritize the communities marginalized and decimated by the failed War on Drugs. I know that Dianna is the perfect person to lead our state’s effort to create a marketplace for recreational marijuana that is equitable, fair, and inclusive of all communities.”
Jeff Brown has been appointed as executive director of the commission.
“Jeff’s leadership overseeing the state’s Medicinal Marijuana program has contributed greatly to our efforts to expand access to those who need it,” continued Gov. Murphy. “He will bring the same integrity, care, and expertise that have led to the success of our Medicinal Marijuana program to his new role as Executive Director of the Cannabis Regulatory Commission, where he will play a key role in establishing our recreational marijuana marketplace.”
“These are excellent appointments who will help ensure the success and integrity of the new cannabis industry in New Jersey,” said Senate President Steve Sweeney. “Once we have the commission in place, we can move forward with the legalization process that will deliver social justice reforms and create a new business sector that offers economic opportunities. The commission will have the responsibility of creating the organizational and regulatory system to oversee the safe use of cannabis products by adults. They will play an important role in guiding New Jersey’s leadership role in the reform process.”
The Cannabis Regulatory Commission, once fully constituted, will both regulate New Jersey’s medical marijuana marketplace and will now also provide oversight to the soon-to-be-established recreational marijuana marketplace.
Dianna Houenou currently serves as senior policy advisor and associate counsel to the Governor, advising on policy issues concerning criminal justice, military and veterans, community affairs, and immigrants’ rights matters. Since joining the Governor’s Office in March 2019, she has been heavily involved in the establishment of New Jersey’s Office of New Americans and advancing the Administration’s criminal justice priorities, including expungement reform and working to advance meaningful civilian oversight of law enforcement. There are cases for criminal defense lawyer in Orlando, Florida check here to know more.
Prior to joining the Governor’s Office, Houenou was policy counsel with the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey (ACLU-NJ), where she developed legislative strategies for ACLU-NJ advocacy campaigns and led the organization’s coalitions advocating for marijuana legalization and Newark police reform. Evidence of her work with the ACLU-NJ can be found all across New Jersey: from the establishment of fair and welcoming policies in local towns and State government to the restoration of voting rights for residents on probation and parole, and from the passage of a law requiring the Attorney General to investigate police-involved deaths to New Jersey’s path towards legalizing cannabis for adults with a focus on social justice.
As a cannabis legalization advocate, Houenou crisscrossed the state to educate the public and lawmakers on the importance of legalization. She comes to the Cannabis Regulatory Commission with substantial experience building broad-based coalitions and engagement with like-minded advocates demanding that racial and social justice remain at the forefront of New Jersey’s legalization efforts.
A resident of Trenton, Houenou received a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. She holds a J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law.
Jeff Brown currently serves as assistant commissioner at the New Jersey Department of Health, overseeing the Division of Medicinal Marijuana. Under his leadership the Division of Marijuana has expanded access to patients throughout New Jersey, increasing the number of enrolled patients from 17,000 to over 95,000 and more than doubling the number of participating physicians and dispensaries. He has years of experience in health policy, government affairs, communications, and both advocacy and electoral campaigns.
Prior to working at the Department of Health, Brown has worked extensively on the passage and implementation of the Affordable Care Act, particularly the creation of health insurance exchanges and the expansion of Medicaid, has led an association of community-based providers to implement innovative new payment models in Medicaid, and has fought to expand access to healthcare in New Jersey’s urban communities by developing sustainable financing policies.
Brown grew up in Mercer County and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Rutgers University. He is active in the community and serves on the advisory board of the New Jersey Chapter of the New Leaders Council.
Krista Nash is a long-time social justice advocate. She currently serves as Program Director of the PROMISE program at Volunteers of America Delaware Valley. She previously served as a mentor at Oaks Integrate Care and Transitions for Youth. Additionally she serves on the Camden County Addiction Awareness Task Force.
She earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Rutgers University – Camden. She also holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania.
Nash and her husband Jeff reside in Cherry Hill with their three children.
