Mount Holly Criminal Lawyer: Harsh Punishment for Veteran with Medical Marijuana

In Oklahoma, the state with the harshest marijuana laws in the United States, a father of three and ex-Marine is facing life in prison for growing six marijuana plants in his garden. The ex-Marine, who served three tours of duty overseas before being honorably discharged from the Marine Corps, still suffers from severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

The man was medically retired from the Marine Corps for injuries to his back and neck, along with his PTSD diagnosis. Following the PTSD diagnosis, he and his wife began the process of finding a balance of medications which would be a good fit for him. During that process, he was also diagnosed as bipolar. He was eventually taking a dozen pills a day, and the family feared that all this medication was doing irreparable damage to the ex-Marine’s liver. Moreover, the process of finding the right medication is mostly trial and error, and during one particular moment of “error,” his wife called the police for assistance with her husband, who in reaction to PTSD and what would turn out to be inappropriate medication, was threatening her with a knife.

When the police arrived, they subdued the veteran, but also found six marijuana plants in the garden. The police arrested him and deemed the arrest “a major pot bust” to the media. When penalizing for possession of a controlled substance, Oklahoma does not differentiate between hard drugs like methamphetamine or heroin and pot grown in a garden. This is in stark contrast to California, where the couple grew up, and where medicinal marijuana is legal.

The veteran had begun growing marijuana at home for his own use to combat his PTSD.  Among veterans who suffer from PTSD, there is growing support for the use of medical marijuana. The Veteran’s Administration (VA) is unable to recommend marijuana for the treatment of PTSD as there have been no controlled studies to show the effectiveness of the treatment, but steps are being taken to change that. Legislation which would let VA doctors recommend medicinal marijuana to their patients passed a Senate committee in May.

Mount Holly Drug Offense Lawyers at The Law Offices of Michele Finizio Represent Those Charged with Marijuana Possession

If you or someone you know has been charged with possession of marijuana in New Jersey, you need a Mount Holly drug offense lawyer with the experience to defend you against the charges. Mount Holly criminal lawyer, Michele Finizio, has successfully defended countless clients charged with drug possession in New Jersey. Michele Finizio will provide you with the aggressive defense you need while facing marijuana possession charges in New Jersey.

Call us today at 856-888-9059 or contact us online. Our offices are conveniently located in Moorestown, New Jersey and we serve clients throughout South Jersey and Cherry Hill, including all of Camden County, Burlington County, Gloucester County, and Salem County.