Hershey Lawyer Christine Brann to Receive First PBA Medical Marijuana and Hemp Law Award

HARRISBURG (Nov. 3, 2022) — Christine Brann, partner at JSDC Law Offices, Hershey, is the recipient of the inaugural Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA) Medical Marijuana and Hemp Law Award, which will be presented during the Medical Marijuana and Hemp Law (MMHL) Symposium on Nov. 21 in Philadelphia.

The MMHC Award was created to highlight those in the legal profession who have gone above and beyond to shed light on, and fight to resolve, issues that impact the medical marijuana and hemp programs. Whether nominees are from the judiciary, academia, government or private sector, all will be individuals who have illuminated, clarified, educated and resolved various issues facing participants in the marijuana and hemp programs.

Brann has been an advocate for medical marijuana and hemp legislation within Pennsylvania for more than a decade. Over the course of several years, she worked closely with legislators to develop content for Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Act, which was signed into law by Gov. Tom Wolf in 2016. A frequent lecturer on medical marijuana, Brann continues to be involved with legislators and lobbies for relevant updates to the act.

To raise awareness of medical marijuana and its benefits, Brann started the Campaign for Compassion beginning with her local community and continuing throughout the commonwealth. As part of her efforts, Brann initiated a postcard campaign and engaged with families, communities, legislators and individuals across the commonwealth in support of the cause.

Brann developed and currently leads her firm’s newly formed JSDC Medical Cannabis Group. In her role, she has represented clients with obtaining permits and continues to represent patients and permit holders with medical marijuana issues. Brann became a leading advocate of medical cannabis to assist her son who suffers from the rare seizure disorder Dravet Syndrome.

Within the legal community, Brann serves as co-chair of the PBA Medical Marijuana and Hemp Law Committee, and a member of the Collaborative Law Committee and Family Law Section. She also contributes extensively to PBA’s continuing legal education programs, including its Medical Marijuana and Hemp Law Symposium. A member of the Dauphin County Bar Association, Brann developed its Medical Marijuana Committee and served as secretary and treasurer of its Young Lawyers Section.

In her local community, Brann has served as a board member of the Family Health Council of Central Pennsylvania and, since 2010, has been a board member of the Derry Township Historical Society.

Prior to joining JSDC, Christine practiced family law in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, where she provided pro bono representation through MidPenn Legal Services in Harrisburg and the Battered Women’s Legal Advocacy Program in New Jersey.

One of her nominators said: “Christine’s unwavering support and advocacy of medical marijuana and hemp rights in Pennsylvania is unmatched. There are two words that come to mind when I think of Christine’s dedication to the medical marijuana industry: tenacious and determined. There was nothing or no one who could stop Christine from her advocacy.” 

Brann earned her Juris Doctor degree from Widener University School of Law and her bachelor’s degree from Bucknell University. She is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.