12/22/11 Barberton man says he used marijuana to treat pain

  • By Nick Sabo
  • December 22, 2011
  • 280
                        
A former Millersburg man who had a sizable marijuana grow operation in his apartment said he used the drug to treat recurrent pain after prescription drugs caused ill side effects. John J. Wenker, 53, 168 19th St., Barberton, was sentenced Tuesday Dec. 20 in Holmes County Common Pleas Court to nine months in jail on one count of illegal cultivation of marijuana. Prior to sentencing, Wenker was offered the chance to seek treatment at the Stark Regional Community Corrections Center in lieu of incarceration but turned it down. The charge against Wenker stems from June 10, when Millersburg police executed a search warrant at Wenker’s Perkins Street residence. The search turned up 24 mature marijuana plants as well as 41 smaller plants. The residence was split between Wenker and another tenant. The operation took up most of the second floor, where Wenker lived. Police found the operation while investigating a criminal complaint downstairs. There was no indication that Wenker was selling marijuana. Speaking before Common Pleas Judge Robert D. Rinfret Tuesday, Wenker said he smokes marijuana because of neck pain brought on when he was a construction worker. “The reason I use marijuana is to stay off narcotics the doctors put me on for my neck,” Wenker said. “They can’t fix my neck, all they can do is prescribe narcotics.” Wenker said prescription painkillers affect his memory and mental state. Prosecuting Attorney Steve Knowling recommended incarceration, noting Wenker’s refusal to accept help to stop using marijuana. “(Wenker) has had the opportunity to address his drug problem, he was offered SRCCC,” Knowling said. “It is my belief he has decided to stay active in the marijuana culture. At this point, all we can do is warehouse him, all we’re doing is punishing him.” Also Tuesday in Holmes County Common Pleas Court: Jesse R. Adkins, 32, Glenmont, pleaded to one count of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, a third-degree felony. The charge stems from March through May, when Adkins had sex with a 15-year-old girl who was babysitting his children. Rinfret ordered a presentence investigation and scheduled sentencing for Feb. 2.


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