HARRISBURG (NewsRadio KDKA) — On Wednesday, Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman expressed his adoration for Governor Tom Wolf regarding the latter's pardoning of an ophthalmologist that had been growing medical marijuana for his dying wife.
The 65-year-old Dr. Paul Ezell was turned over to police after some "plant clippings" were found after the doctor has disposed of his marijuana growing operation.
Ezell's wife had died, hence his disposal of the equipment and plants.
Originally, the eye doctor stated that he wanted to reduce the amount of opioid usage for his ailing wife.
Ezell was initially sent to jail in 2014 and served six months; he was released early for good behavior.
However, since he pleaded guilty to felony charges, he was prohibited from practicing medicine again.
Wolf's pardon, however, is a big first step into allowing Ezell to return to his career.
And that drew Fetterman's admiration.
"He lost his wife, his career, everything," Fetterman said. "Today, Dr. Ezell can start to rebuild his life. Cases like his illustrate why we must end marijuana prohibition before it destroys one more life."
Fetterman chairs the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons, which has developed an "expedited process" specifically for marijuana-related charges.
Fetterman himself primarily facilitated the process.
Moreover, Ezell's daughter also lost her nursing license because of the charges, but she'll be able to have her own hearing in June.