John Wilson (left) and Jim Miller in New Jersey
1/26/2012 – Living with multiple sclerosis has never been easy for John Ray Wilson. It will get even tougher tomorrow when he goes to jail. Like thousands of MS patients around the country John found that marijuana helped relieve his condition. But without healthcare and unable to afford medical quality cannabis on the streets Wilson grew seventeen marijuana plants behind his Franklin Township home in 2008.
Every resource in the State of New Jersey has been thrown at John from helicopters to aggressive prosecutors. This week the NJ Supreme Court refused to hear his final appeal. So at 8:30AM on 1/27 John will surrender himself at the Somerset County Courthouse to serve the remainder of his 5-year prison sentence.
This afternoon John was at home with his family, putting his affairs in order and preparing for a dinner out with friends. He was convicted just before the New Jersey medical marijuana law was passed in 2010.
“I’ve almost given up hope. I mean it’s been 2 years and there’s no patients even registered yet,” Wilson lamented.
The medical marijuana program, administered by the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), has struggled under heavy regulations.
“When I do finally get out,” Wilson asks, allowing only the smallest hope in his voice, “can I have my medicine?”
Not only is the NJ marijuana program still on paper but those in prison cannot access the state-legal medicinal cannabis at all. Those on probation or parole may have a difficult time as well. Drug testing is often standard practice. Qualifying residents, even those with conditions like AIDS or MS, might still get into trouble for being a registered medical marijuana patient and testing positive for THC.
“John Ray Wilson exemplifies the fact the NJ has some of the most retroactive, ill-advised draconian marijuana laws in the country,” said civil rights attorney William Buckman who represented Wilson in the appeal.
“The notion that taxpayers should pay to lock up a sick man for 5 years is ludicrous and tragic,” said Buckman,”The governor should quickly commute his sentence.”
Governor Chris Christie could intervene. State Senator Raymond Lesniak issued a press release yesterday also renewing that call:
“I am disappointed by the recent decision of the Supreme Court to deny the appeal of John Ray Wilson. Mr. Wilson was not selling drugs on our streets. He was merely trying to alleviate the symptoms of a dreadfully painful and regressive disease. It is unconscionable that this Friday he will be behind bars.
“Three years ago, I called on Governor Corzine to commute the sentence of Mr. Wilson. After inaction with the last governor, I was hopeful Governor Christie would better understand the unfair reality of this situation. Unfortunately, Governor Christie has been just like Governor Corzine, refusing to use his and only his power to make things right when the true intentions of the law were misapplied.”
Wilson’s family, fellow patients and medical marijuana advocates plan to rally at the Somerset County Courthouse as John arrives on Friday morning.
The Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey (CMMNJ) has been keeping up demonstrations in support of John since his original trial. The group plans to hold solidarity events for Wilson while he is in prison.
John Wilson’s case has symbolized the ongoing plight of New Jersey’s medical cannabis patients.
CMMNJ – http://www.cmmnj.org
Support John Ray Wilson on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Support-John-Ray-Wilson-New-Jersey-MS-Patient/104540271138
CALL or TWEET to Governor Chris Christie 609-292-6000 or @GovChristie – ask him to “Pardon medical marijuana patient John Ray Wilson!”
Chris Goldstein is a respected marijuana reform advocate. As a writer and radio broadcaster he has been covering cannabis news for over a decade. Questions? [email protected]