Heady Vermont reports ….It was announced last week that Krista Nash will be the first member of the NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission to be appointed. Nash was appointed by State Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-Gloucester).
Nash is a licensed social worker from South Jersey. She is married to Camden County Freeholder Jeff Nash so she is very politically connected.
For the last three years Nash has served as Program Director of the Volunteers of America of Delaware Valley which is designed to help mentally ill individuals who have dealt with the criminal justice system.
The commission and its regulations have been delayed for months. It was expected to have been established and issued regulations by now.
Some insiders have speculated it is due to the lawsuit holding up the announcement of the dispensaries from last year. Arguments on that case are to be heard this month.
Governor Phil Murphy has to appoint three people to the NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission while Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-Middlesex) has the power to appoint one person. So there will ultimately be five. Like Coughlin, Sweeney only had the one seat to appoint.
Many insiders have speculated Deputy Health Commissioner Jeff Brown will be appointed the Executive Director. This makes sense since he has been handling all NJ cannabis issues thus far.
