‘Weedman’ acquitted of a drug-related charge in New Jersey

A man known as ‘NJ Weedman’ was acquitted of a drug-related charge recently. When he was stopped by a New Jersey state trooper two years ago, he admitted that he had a pound of marijuana in his car. Facing criminal allegations, he argued before a jury that he carries a medical marijuana card in California and needs the drug to relieve the pain related to bone cancer. To the surprise of many, the Burlington County jury found him not guilty of the drug-related charge of possession with intent to distribute.

The freed man proclaimed ‘ I’m not a weirdo anymore, I’m a hero’ after the verdict was read. The prosecutor’s office had no comment on the verdict. His case was retried due to a deadlocked jury in May, causing a mistrial on the drug-related charge. The hung jury did convict him of a lesser charge of possession, but he plans to appeal the charge while out on bail.

In Jan. 2010, a law was passed in New Jersey allowing marijuana to be sold to individuals with certain medical conditions, including multiple sclerosis and cancer. This law was passed just three months prior to the man’s arrest. The law limits the drug to New Jersey residents who are issued medical marijuana cards after a doctor’s confirmation that they qualify. Further, the marijuana can only be sold by licensed dispensaries.

The man was visiting family when he was stopped for the traffic violation. He says he assumed the new state law would protect him against this drug-related charge. According to prosecutors, New Jersey laws strictly prohibit marijuana possession with intent to distribute, and the laws apply to any situations outside of medical marijuana laws. The man is believed to be the first person in New Jersey to use such a defense in a criminal case.

Source: Channel 6 News, “‘Weedman’ acquitted after using medical marijuana argument as his defense,” Oct. 23, 2012