A New Jersey man convicted of marijuana manufacture after he grew 17 plants in his backyard to use to treat his multiple sclerosis was ordered to prison to begin serving a five-year sentence Wednesday even as he appeals his conviction to the state Supreme Court.
By Philip Smith Ā | Ā Published in Stop the Drug War
John Ray Wilson demonstration, 2009 (Photo credit: CMMNJ)
Deputy Attorney General Russell Curley argued during the hearing that Wilson should begin serving his sentence immediately, and Judge Borkowski agreed. He was taken into custody after the hearing.
“We think that the appellate decision is misguided,” said Wilsonās attorney William Buckman, “We are hoping that the Supreme Court will set the record straight that New Jersey doesnāt want to put sick people or simple individual marijuana users into prison at the cost of $35,000 a year.”
Wilson’s plight has drawn the attention of activists who have championed his cause, including theĀ Coalition for Medical Marijuana-New Jersey, whose executive director, Ken Wolski, was in the courtroom Wednesday.
“CMMNJ is still hopeful there is a chance for justice in the state Supreme Court,” he told Goldstein. “But we are very disappointed that John is back in jail.”