.jpg)
John Wilson (left) with CMMNJ's Jim Miller (author photo)
4/29/2010 by Chris Goldstein - John Wilson was released from the Southern State Correctional Facility in New Jersey today to his grateful family at about 1:45PM. Wilson was sentenced to 5 years in prison on March 19, 2010 for growing seventeen cannabis plants to treat MS. An Appellate Court ruled on Monday that he should be granted bail as his case is appealed.
On Tuesday Judge Robert B. Reed, the trial judge in the case, set bail at $15,000. Ken Wolski, Executive director of the Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey (CMMNJ) was in the courtroom.
The prosecutor {NJ Office of the Attorney General], Cassandra Serentino, asked for $75,000 to $150,000 bail. When asked why by the judge, the prosecutor said that was what was listed for such an offense on the bail schedule, but that she would defer to the judge for “whatever you deem appropriate.”
The judge cited the fact that John had no prior criminal record, was gainfully self-employed, had a family who was at the trial every day, and had many responsible members of the community vouch for him “in the cause which he has come to represent.” READ KEN's BLOG POST IN FULL
New Jersey passed a medical marijuana law in January, although the program will not be fully implemented until this fall. Multiple Sclerosis or MS is one of the qualifying conditions under the new law.
State Senators Raymond Lesniak and Nicholas Scutari issued a press release yesterday renewing their call for Governor Chris Christie to grant Wilson a pardon.
“The court recognized the cruelty of incarcerating an MS sufferer under these circumstances. We think Governor Christie should likewise recognize this injustice and pardon Mr. Wilson from the most serious charges,” said Senator Lesniak. “We believe that such an egregious injustice demands prompt action. Through the power of clemency invested in this State’s Chief Executive, Governor Christie can overturn an unjust and overly cruel sentence for a man simply seeking a small measure of relief from chronic pain and illness.”
“We remain hopeful that Governor Christie will see the light and order a more appropriate sentence for John Ray Wilson through a gubernatorial pardon,” said Senator Scutari. “Given our State’s budgetary woes, it does not make sense to incarcerate a non-violent offender for the personal use of medical marijuana, especially when the Legislature and the previous Governor have since legalized the medical use of the drug. Governor Christie should recognize the will of the Legislature, and of the public, and step in to overturn a prison sentence for a very sick man who felt he had nowhere else to turn for relief from his symptoms.” READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE
Before being incarcerated Wilson was living with his elderly grandmother, helping to care for her and his wheelchair-bound younger brother.
We spoke with Wilson's mother and father today. The family is planning a barbecue for the homecoming.
"We're just happy that he's out," said his mom.
More about medical marijuana in New Jersey at www.cmmnj.org
Subscribe to the Philadelphia NORML Examiner – it’s free!
Wilson trial:
Breaking NJ: Court orders bail for man jailed over medical marijuana
NJ Senators ask Gov Christie for medical marijuana pardon
NJ MS patient: 5 year sentence for growing marijuana
MS patient: Not guilty on most serious marijuana charge
NJ: Judge allows John Wilson to mention MS at marijuana trial
Rally photos: MS patient John Wilson facing 15 years for 17 plants
NJ: Politicians speak out for medical marijuana
PA: Medical marijuana bill gains co-sponsors
PhillyNORML 4/20: Photos, review and news video
PhillyNORML kicks off 4/20 on the Preston & Steve Show
Philadelphia NORML Examiner in the media
Celebrate 4/20 at PhillyNORML concert
PhillyNORML: City is not decriminalizing pot
PA: Hundreds honk horns for medical marijuana at rally
NJ MS patient: 5 year sentence for growing marijuana
PA: Emergency Room MD testifies in favor of medical marijuana HB 1393
Specter could grow support with medical marijuana
PA: Specter, Hoeffel, Wagner back medical marijuana at Summit
PA: Quinnipiac poll 59% say medical marijuana is a ‘good idea’
AIDS Law Project, ACLU-PA endorse medical marijuana
Conservative Rabbi backs PA medical marijuana
Video: PA medical marijuana hearings - Son speaks of dying mother
Philly: White women rarely arrested for pot
Philly: Marijuana mug shots cost city $3million annually
PhillyNORML: Hundreds turn out for marijuana legalization concert
Big bust in NJ tiny part of $1 billion local pot economy
NJ: DHSS Commissioner appointed; could oversee medical marijuana
NJ: Medical marijuana law offers new centralized approach
Walmart facing boycott from marijuana reform supporters
Comments
He should be get a FULL pardon. Unless someone is walking in your shoes they do NOT have a clue the amount of pain one suffers. As another MS patient, I can relate to John. I pray for his pardon. His sentence was give long ago with diagnosis of MS!!
keep calling the gov's office to tell him to rethink his position - John deserves a full pardon for being part of the reason that NJ has deemed medical marijuana a necessary in the first place
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!