Jan 19, 2010
Corzine, John Wilson, New Jersey
Last night, New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine signed a medical marijuana bill into law, officially making New Jersey the 14th state in the nation to allow qualified patients to use medical marijuana with their doctor’s recommendation. The law allows the establishment of dispensaries around the state, but it does not make it legal for patients to grow their own marijuana.
This law means that New Jersey will no longer prosecute sick and dying patients who try to ease their symptoms with marijuana, but it apparently does not apply retroactively. On the same day Gov. Corzine signed such compassionate legislation, he also refused to pardon one of the most glaring victims of New Jersey’s old marijuana laws—John Wilson, a 37-year-old multiple sclerosis patient who faces 10 years in prison for growing marijuana plants to ease his condition.
When asked for comment, Wilson’s lawyer said he was “deeply disappointed” that the governor did not grant Wilson clemency before leaving office.
Me too.