NJ Medical Marijuana Trial Takes an Interesting Turn
Prosecutors in the trial of multiple sclerosis patient John Wilson probably aren’t too happy about this:
Unfortunately, that's all the judge would allow. Since New Jersey currently has no medical marijuana law, discussion of the defendant's medical use is considered prejudicial to the jury. We can only hope they got the message. John Wilson is a patient, not a criminal.
Regardless of the outcome here, this whole shameful episode powerfully illustrates the urgency of New Jersey's pending medical marijuana legislation. This trial should never have happened in the first place, but the least we can do is make sure it never happens again.
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)." [NBC]
Unfortunately, that's all the judge would allow. Since New Jersey currently has no medical marijuana law, discussion of the defendant's medical use is considered prejudicial to the jury. We can only hope they got the message. John Wilson is a patient, not a criminal.
Regardless of the outcome here, this whole shameful episode powerfully illustrates the urgency of New Jersey's pending medical marijuana legislation. This trial should never have happened in the first place, but the least we can do is make sure it never happens again.
Looking for the easiest way to join the anti-drug war movement? You've found it!
FIJA
It is cases like this one that point up the need for ALL Americans to be educated about their power as jurors to find a defendant not guilty because the law which the defendant is being tried for breaking is a bad/unconstitutional law.
http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig10/emal1.1.1.html
All Americans also should take advantage of this series of 43 videos through which you can be educated about the Constitution for free and at your own pace. If you took this class in person from Mr. Badnarik you would have to pay $100 for the class:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nOMbfsgZ9s
I'm pro-choice on EVERYTHING!
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