Medicinal marijuana offers nothing but benefits

The trial of John Wilson earlier this month highlighted the need for the New Jersey Legislature to pass a law legalizing the medicinal use of marijuana.

Wilson is a middle-aged Franklin (Somerset) resident who was brought to trial in Superior Court in Somerville by the state attorney general's office on serious charges of growing marijuana on property he rented in the township. Wilson was facing 20 years in state prison on a first-degree charge of operating a drug maunufacturing facility.

Wilson was acquitted of that charge, but was found guilty of lesser charges of growing marijuana and possession of psilocybin mushrooms. He will be sentenced on Feb. 5.

Wilson is not a pothead. He started smoking marijuana in 2003 to relieve the symptoms of (MS) multiple sclerosis, a still mysterious disease that often defies conventional drugs.

Wilson said earlier this year he now uses the therapeutic application of honeybee venom to alleviate his symptoms. Every three days he stings himself with about 16 honeybees.

The prosecution of Wilson drew attention of two influential state senators, Democrats Nicholas Scutari and Raymond Lesniak of Union County. They called the prosecution of Wilson "a severe, inappropriate, discompassionate and inhumane application of the law,"

Going after people like Wilson, who was growing 17 marijuana plants in his backyard, was not the intent of the severe penalties attached to the drug manufacturing law, Lesniak said. The law was drafted to go after drug kingpins who manufacture heroin, speed and other more dangerous drugs, the senator said.

The two legislators have drafted a bill, the "New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act." The bill would decriminalize possession and use of marijuana by state-registered patients with debilitating illnesses. The bill would also establish treatment centers where patients can purchase the drug.

The bill would not turn New Jersey into a state of stoners. Its tight regulations would place New Jersey on the forefront of exploring alternate ways to treat chronic pain.

The bill passed the state Senate by a 22-16 vote earlier this year and now awaits a vote in the Assembly.

With less than a month until a new governor takes office, the Assembly should not wait in its few remaining sessions before new members are seated to take action on the bill and forward it to Gov. Jon Corzine for his signature.