Breakthrough in Trial of New Jersey MS Patient?
Last week, we brought you the story of John Wilson, a 37-year-old New Jersey man who stands accused of operating a drug manufacturing facility, even though he says the marijuana he grew on his property was for personal use only to treat his multiple sclerosis. Nevertheless, Wilson is facing 20 years in prison and—most outrageously—had been prevented from mentioning his disease or anything about the effectiveness of medical marijuana to the jury, even though New Jersey might soon become the 14th state to pass medical marijuana.
Luckily, that is no longer the case.
While taking the stand on his own behalf yesterday—and after a series of conferences between the judge and lawyers from both sides—Wilson was permitted to explain what he told police officers when they asked him about his marijuana plants: “I told them I was not a drug dealer,” he said, “and I was using the marijuana to treat my M.S.”
This is a small victory, yes, but now at least the jury has a better understanding of why Wilson was growing marijuana. If that realization still results in Wilson being found guilty, two state senators have said they will ask Gov. Jon Corzine to pardon Wilson before he leaves office next month.
Stay tuned for updates.
Tagged with: multiple sclerosis and New Jersey and trial by the author
15 comments
A small victory = a check in the win colum.
Thanks for the follow up. The statement he made to the arresting police officers at the time of the arrest is what saved him from being gagged and not being able to defend himself.
Once again, we get another small victory. When I was raided I faced several felony’s but I told the truth and paid a fine of $185. This man could end up paying a small fine for having simple possession but even that is wrong. The day will come when we may be required to pay a permit fee to grow our own cannabis, but that is better than paying a fine. I have an idea, why don’t they come up with a fine program that we can pay, and then grow our own cannabis?
I am still shocked that judges can actually rule part of your defense invalid and silence you on it. That is frankly quite astounding that a judge is allowed such power.
For a court/judge to tell you what you can say to defend your self is nothing short of fascist.
John Wilson is not a criminal, to be treated like one is a crime.
Cannabis is a gift from nature, not a man maid chemical concoction. Being threatened with jail time for growing plants that help John Wilson to minimize his suffering just accurately fits the phrase cruel an unusual punishment.
Found Not Guilty Of Most Serious Marijuana Charge
http://bit.ly/5QBFRN
i do wish you luck we are in Michigan and are facing 11 years we got busted march 30 and we had are doctors recommendation from are Doctor but that does not seam to matter here in mich.
I fail to see how Wilson’s conviction of lesser charges is a victory.
NJ is the most corrupt state in the union. My conditional discharge ends next month and when it does, I am going to post the video of the cop ILLEGALLY busting me on YouTube.
The jury should have voted ‘nullification”.
You want a REAL BREAK THROUGH????????
Read this. This guy is MY HERO!!!!!!
http://www.mapinc.org/norml/v09/n1123/a01.htm?134
Thank you for the follow up, this case pissed me off. Even little victories are victories and sometimes they can lead to bigger ones. Let’s hope for aquittal or a pardon if not.
It is a real shame that we citizens must suffer the contortions of a less than just government, who used a tax law which they perverted to deny American citizens a GOD given right to use their bodies as they see fit. That perversion? Passing a one penny tax law using “tax stamps” which no one can buy because no “tax stamps” where printed! That’s the facts believe it or not!
While supporting the medical/re-creation-al legalization of marihuana, will smoking it free me from this social trap…?
I have read before that a defendant in court can be prevented from stating that his or her marijuana use was for medical reasons. How could this possibly be constitutional and why has this issue not ended up in the supreme court? It is past the unbelievable that a citizen of the U.S. can not recite the circumstances as he or she perceived them of an alleged crime.
It really is hard to see how we can teach this country’s children how fair this country is when it is actually a lie.
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