Huge news breaking out of the New Jersey trial of multiple sclerosis patient John Ray Wilson, who’s facing decades in prison for growing medical marijuana. The judge, who previously would not allow Wilson to mention his medical condition (see Chris Goldstein’s report below), allowed Wilson to testify about his condition today:
(NBC New York) A judge reversed course today, allowing a man on trial for possession of 17 marijuana plants that he was growing during the summer of 2008 to testify about his medical condition.
Judge Robert Reed had earlier ruled that defendant John Ray Wilson could not present a defense based on this medical condition.
But then, after taking the stand in his own defense today, and after multiple conferences among the lawyers and the judge, Wilson was allowed to say “I told them(the arresting officers) I was not a drug dealer and I was using the marijuana for my MS(Multiple Sclerosis).”
Whatever the legal maneuvering defense attorney James Wronko did to get that admitted, it is critical for the medical marijuana movement, advocates said.
“I think it carried weight, even though it was one sentence. I’m sure the jury heard he had MS today,” said Chris Goldstein of the Coalition for Medical Marijuana in New Jersey.
john ray is not a criminal he is a pain suffering person who found a way to keep himself mobile i dont know about any of u but i suffer from 3 disc herniations in my lower back and one in my neck i wish i could just smoke a bone legally but i have to take roxicodone legally instead. which causes more longterm damage?? you decide …….FREE JOHN RAY WILSON!!!!! he is no drug dealer
Just what I was thinking, WUD. This judge wants a life after legalization. And what a great precedent!!
I’m confused about something and can’t seem to find the correct search phrase to find out more.
How can judges prevent you from making certain defenses just because they don’t like it?
Shouldn’t it be up to the jury to decide if a defense is valid or not?
TRUTH IN TRIALS…THIS IS GOOD NEWS.
the marijuana movement just got stronger…. can you feel it?
Rarely does the term ‘landmark’ actually apply when it’s used. This isn’t one of those times; this is a landmark decision by Judge Wilson and I applaud his human decency. Soon it will be the jury’s turn to show their character. We’ll see
that was a close one, glad SOMEBODY has some sense….
Outstanding….. Best news I heard in a while! Im happy for you dude
Hopefully this will lead to others getting pardoned!
No war crimes for Judge Wilson then? I had him on the list, but Ill mark it out,with pencil though!
Fkn’ A!
That is a great development!
Free Eddy Lepp for growing the same for other MS patients!!
Changes do happen…..PARDON JOHN RAY WILSON…..
Yessss!