John H. O'Brien Jr. is a 26-year veteran and retired lieutenant of the New Jersey State Police, and "an expert in the use of FBI and New Jersey criminal history record systems"
Mike Lowe weighs marijuana for resale during the Cannabis Crown in Aspen, Colo., in 2010.TRENTON — A retired State Police lieutenant was named today to run the state's fledgling medical marijuana program that is expected to begin operating next year, Health and Senior Services Commissioner Mary O'Dowd announced.
John H. O'Brien Jr., a 26-year veteran and retired lieutenant of the New Jersey State Police, and "an expert in the use of FBI and New Jersey criminal history record systems," will begin on Dec. 5, according to O'Dowd's announcement.
O'Brien "has the expertise to get this program up and running with integrity. No Alternative Treatment Center will be issued a permit to grow or dispense medicinal marijuana until each applicant, its officers, board members and employees have been thoroughly vetted" and have met all regulatory requirements.
The appointment follows mounting concern over the sluggish place of getting the program up and running nearly two years after the law was enacted.
Two recent Star-Ledger reports raised concerns about the vetting of two proposed centers and other problems with the program, including appeals filed by four separate centers challenging the state's selection process. Additionally, patients' I.D. cards have not been made, and the health department is unsure if it will even publish the names of 108 physicians who have pre-registered for the program, leaving patients unsure how they can find an appropriate doctor.
O'Brien, 51, of Manchester Township, created a program while at the State Police that tracked the criminal history of gun buyers, as well as another "consumer-friendly program" that provided fingerprinting records and services for people applying to be teachers, child care workers and nurses’ aides, according to the announcement.
"I am appreciative of the confidence and support shown to me by Commissioner O’Dowd," O’Brien said. "I believe the Administration and the Legislature have developed a firm foundation on which to build this program. I look forward to the opportunity to successfully bring the program to full implementation."
O'Brien will report to Deputy Commissioner Arturo Brito, a pediatrician hired last week to oversee public health services.
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• N.J. medical marijuana program will get rolling after 3-month delay