John Wilson rally 8/21/09, image from Newark Star-Ledger
NORML NJ members, volunteers and supporters will demonstrate with CMMNJ for MS Patient John Wilson on 12/14/2009
WHAT: At a free, public rally followed by a fundraiser luncheon
WHEN: Monday, December 14, 2009 from 8:30 AM to 12:00 Noon; Luncheon at noon
WHERE: Somerset County Court House, 20 N. Bridge St., Somerville, New Jersey; Lunch at East Star Buffet
WHY: Wilson faces 20 years in prison for using marijuana to treat his MS; cannot tell jury he has MS
Supporters of medical marijuana reform from around the region are being asked to participate in a rally on the sidewalk in front of the Somerset County Court House, 20 North Bridge St., Somerville, NJ on Monday, December 14, 2009 from 8:30 AM to 12:00 noon in support of multiple sclerosis (MS) patient John Ray Wilson. Jury selection is scheduled to begin at that time.
Wilson faces 20 years in prison for growing 17 marijuana plants that he used to treat his MS. Wilson was told by Superior Court Judge Robert Reed during a pre-trial hearing that he may not let the jury know that he has MS, or that his use of marijuana was an attempt to treat his disease. This ruling effectively removes Wilson’s only defense for his actions. Wilson is self-employed, has no health insurance and faces mounting legal bills.
A fundraiser luncheon will be held for him immediately following the rally at the nearby East Star Asian Buffet, 69 Main St., Somerville. Tickets are $20 apiece for the all-you-can-eat buffet with $10 of each ticket going to Wilson’s legal defense fund. See Ken Wolski, Jim Miller or Chris Goldstein to reserve a place at the buffet.
The National MS Society recently confirmed in an Expert Opinion Paper that standard therapies often provide inadequate relief for the symptoms of MS such as pain and spasticity, and that marijuana helps with these symptoms and could limit disease progression. “To know that a safe and inexpensive herb like marijuana is able to relieve the pain and spasticity of MS and to actually arrest the progression of this incurable disease is a compelling reason to use it therapeutically,” said Ken Wolski, RN, Executive Director of the Coalition for Medical Marijuana–New Jersey. “We want to demonstrate our outrage that Wilson faces many years in prison for this, and that he cannot even explain to the jury why he was using marijuana,” Wolski said. “We also want to help defray some of his mounting legal expenses.”
The New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act, A804/S119, which was approved by the New Jersey Senate, awaits a vote in the Assembly. This bill would allow patients to use a small amount of marijuana when a licensed physician recommends it for the symptoms of a number of medical conditions including multiple sclerosis. Governor Jon Corzine has said that he would sign the bill into law when it gets to his desk.
Ken Wolski 609.394.2137 ohamkrw( at )aol.com
Chris Goldstein director( at )normlnj.org
Who’s the prosecutor in John’s case?
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