Medical Marijuana Case Coming Up
L.A. resident alleges that marijuana possession charges levied by Middletown police are not legit.
Eric Hafner is on a mission. The Los Angeles, CA, resident who was arrested in Middletown in late November of 2011, and charged with possession of under 50 grams of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, is rallying against the charges.
He claims, on his Facebook page, that he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and “uses medical marijuana to treat the symptoms of his illness after traditional prescription medication failed.”
According to his Facebook page, Hafner contends that he was charged following a stop by Middletown police in which he was a passenger in a vehicle. Possession of under 50 grams of marijuana is a disorderly persons offense.
Hafner claims he is facing up to a year in jail, a criminal record and more than $1,000 in fines for “using his medicine.” According to NJ statute, the penalties for possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana are up to six months' jail time and $1,00 in fines. The penalties cited by Hafner and the actual statute are maximum penalties. He was charged, not convicted.
Hafner’s Facebook page further cites the following:
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He is hosting a rally outside of Middletown Township Town Hall, 1 Kings Highway, at 8 a.m. on March 12.
Do you support Hafner or think his plea is a bad excuse to smoke marijuana? Tell us in the comments section below.
In This article
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Middletown Township Police Department
1 Kings Hwy, Middletown, NJ -
Middletown Township Town Hall/Administrative Offices
1 Kings Hwy, Middletown, NJ
Vanessa Waltz
4:47 pm on Thursday, March 1, 2012
I truly feel for Eric Hafner. Medical Cannabis should have been legally available to him long before his arrest. He should certainly not be facing jail time, fines, or a criminal record for using herbal medicine, which New Jersey legalized in 2010. I plan to attend his rally to protest this injustice, and I hope many other citizens of New Jersey will be there too. Best wishes to Eric in hopes that his voice of reason will be heard.
Michael
10:50 pm on Thursday, March 1, 2012
They should be going after crime instead of bothering sick people
fred
8:32 pm on Saturday, March 3, 2012
to the people of new jersey,get a grip its against the law and untill it changes its illegal to have have certain drugs,you want to smoke legally,move to the other states thats it legal
Michelle
12:42 am on Sunday, March 4, 2012
@fred Medical Marijuana is LEGAL in New Jersey, it is the State government that is not following the law by refusing to implement the Medical Marijuana program.
Charles M. Kwiatkowski
1:49 am on Sunday, March 4, 2012
As an MS patient of 16 years and medical marijuana user for the past 10 of them, I will be at this rally to support this PTSD patient. Medical marijuana has saved my life and has given my children a father back to play actively with softball, fishing, etc, etc. Using Rx narcotics my 3 daughters have no father as I become a Zombie stuck on the couchbed.
Marijuana is the only medicine that works for my MS.
Charles Kwiatkowski
chris
2:54 pm on Wednesday, March 7, 2012
It is wrong to prosecute someone like this. Shame on NJ!
Kelly
11:56 am on Friday, March 9, 2012
Correct me if I'm wrong - Don't you have to have a prescription from a "Dr."?? This should be used for legit cases only. ... People shouldn't be allowed to abuse the privilege - and when caught with illegal drugs - of any amount - you should pay the piper - and not make excuses - man up - and be accountable for your actions... Like they say, "do the crime... do the time".
David
4:32 pm on Friday, March 9, 2012
If you read the full article and links it is clear that Mr. Hafner has a Prescription. Prescriptions for cannabis are referred to as "Doctor's Recommendation". It's sad to see you making such negative comments towards someone with a serious illness. Medical cannabis is a legal medicine in NJ, despite the state screwing up the program.