Cannabis influencers: Hes the right person at the top delivering for N.J. patients – NJ.com

This story is part of a series of profiles, The CannaInfluencers: The people shaping the cannabis industry in the Garden State. Written by NJ Cannabis Insider reporters, the profiles will publish the weeks leading up to the Nov. 3 election, when New Jersey voters will decide whether to legalize recreational, adult-use cannabis.

One of the ironies of the ruthless and litigious marijuana industry is that it bears no resemblance to the delicate cannabis plant, heralded for its pain-relieving, muscle-relaxing and calming properties.

Even in this inhospitable environment, patients, lawmakers, license holders, and even some critics agree that Jeff Brown has thrived.

While the number of cannabis companies cannot expand beyond the current nine (with a total of 12 retail locations) because of the pending lawsuits challenging the health departments choice of applicants, Brown has presided over a medicinal marijuana program that has seen tremendous growth. Registered patients have swelled from nearly 19,000 to 90,000 patients since his arrival in April 2018. As an assistant health commissioner, he has implemented changes some enacted by the governor and state Legislature, some pandemic-driven that have enabled patients to buy their medicine safely and with fewer bureaucratic hoops to clear.

His fans include the co-founder of the Coalition for Medical Marijuana-New Jersey, a patient and advocate group that has been critical of the program.

I am very grateful for Jeff Browns willingness to meet with us, the CMMNJ Board members, to listen to us, and to address many of our concerns, said Ken Wolski, who is also a nurse and a registered patient.

Jeff even reached out to me, unsolicited, on a couple of occasions for my input on issues such as THC concentration in medical products, Wolski said.

Cannabis attorney Bill Caruso said Brown keeps the patients perspective close at hand in whatever hes doing, such as his decision to expedite the registration process for terminally ill patients.

He has done a fantastic job under extraordinary statutory and regulatory hurdles and delivering for patients, Caruso said. Having the right person at the top matters.

Brown describes the job as frequently rewarding and at times incredibly frustrating.

Some days, Brown fields calls from aggrieved parties who are fighting for a piece of the medicinal cannabis market, and from the lawmakers who represent them. Other days, he and his staff are getting an earful from patients frustrated they have to drive so far and pay so much for their medicine.

Observing the national cannabis market, Brown said many states are sued by entrepreneurs who dont get picked as the licensed growers and sellers. An average of 10% of unsuccessful applicants sue, he said. Its the cost of doing business.

There are so many people that want to get into the market and that makes for very hairy politics, Brown said. It has required a lot of focus on policy and politics. In everything I am doing, I try to bring it back to the patients.

The 38-year-old Rutgers University graduate and Mercer County resident may be one of the few whose primary focus is on the 10-year-old medical marijuana law at the moment. New Jersey voters will decide on Nov. 3 whether adults 21 and older should be permitted to buy marijuana taxed and sold by state-approved cultivators.

In some states, the medical market has withered after legalization. Brown said he wont let that happen.

The current medical marijuana operators, known as alternative treatment centers in New Jersey, presumably have an advantage because they are growing cannabis legally. But Brown said the state would prevent any medical provider from entering the adult market until they can demonstrate they can set aside an adequate supply for their patients.

The industrys track record on keeping up with demand has been disappointing, Brown said.

One of the things I have learned is that we are talking about a medical product and medical market but its very much driven by the laws of economics. Sitting as a regulator, I dont make laws and I cant make private industries do things, Brown said.

There are people all over the state who need access. I would really love to see the market expand, he said.

Before joining the Murphy administration, Brown held health policy jobs that focused on impoverished people and their struggle getting medical care. In one job, with the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute, he oversaw a project to improve the Medicaid payment system. He said it surprised him to learn 60% of registered patients qualify for reduced registration fees because they have such a limited income.

This is very much the similar group of citizens I was focused on in my previous jobs, he said.

Brown came into an office hamstrung by Gov. Chris Christie, who made it clear he resented inheriting and implementing a law he didnt support. But he found 22 employees who were enthusiastic and eager to improve, Brown said. He recalled Sue Carson, the program director who has since retired, suggested making a fairly simple information technology switch that would make the patient registry available on mobile phones. It took all of one day to complete, he said.

Shortly thereafter, people could take photos of their documents at home. People were going to public libraries to do this, he said.

Brown is doing exactly what he was hired to do, Murphy said.

After eight years of stonewalling by the previous administration, in one of my first executive actions I ordered a sweeping review of New Jerseys medicinal marijuana program and appointed Jeff Brown to head the Division of Medicinal Marijuana. Under Jeffs leadership, the program has been overhauled with a compassionate, patient-centered approach that has increased the number of qualifying conditions, removed needless barriers, and expanded dispensaries across the state, Murphy said in a statement to NJ Cannabis Insider. I cant thank Jeff and his team at the Department of Health enough for their efforts to deliver sustainable, affordable access to this life-changing medical treatment for more than 90,000 patients in New Jersey a fivefold increase from when we took office.

Brown taking a selfie with his wife, Lindsey, on a vacation in Italy.

While Brown has been busy expanding the program, he and his wife, Lindsey, a physical therapist, have expanded their family. Their oldest daughter, Madison, will turn 3 in October; Sadie was born last month. Brown said he likes to travel and is a record collector, with 50s and 60s jazz performers his favorite. But the pandemic hasnt left much time for after-hours pursuits. Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli dispatched him to oversee the opening of the field hospital in Atlantic City when the coronavirus outbreak was at its height in the spring.

Presuming the polls are correct and voters approve the constitutional amendment legalizing marijuana, insiders speculate the Murphy administration will give Brown a prominent role in the cannabis regulatory commission that will regulate both the adult and medical markets. Brown said he hasnt been approached.

For now, hes focused on launching a home delivery program and finding ways to simplify the registration and renewal process for patients.

I ground myself by remembering its not about me, its not about the industry, its about them, the patients.

Industry insiders speculate Brown will have a prominent role in the cannabis regulatory commission that will regulate both the recreational and medical marijuana markets.Phil McAuliffe For The Times Of Trenton

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Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanKLivio.

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Cannabis influencers: Hes the right person at the top delivering for N.J. patients - NJ.com