Havertown Doc Who Grew Pot For Dying Wife Pardoned By Gov Wolf

HAVERTOWN, PA — A former Delaware County ophthalmologist convicted of growing marijuana to help his wife manage pain has been pardoned, according to state officials.

Gov. Tom Wolf recently signed a pardon for Dr. Paul Ezell, 65, of Havertown.

Ezell was convicted on a felony marijuana manufacturing charge in 2014, after being turned in to police because some plant clippings were discovered while he was trashing the grow operation following his wife's death.

His wife, Jayne, was diagnosed with progressive spinal disease and scoliosis in 2004 and Ezell said he grew the marijuana to reduce his wife's use of prescribed opioids, according to state officials.

Ezell ended up serving six months before being released for good behavior, but due to the felony status of the charge he was banned from practicing medicine.

According to the state, the pardon is the first step to getting his record cleared, allowing him to return to his profession.

Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, a vocal advocate for legalizing marijuana in Pennsylvania, Wednesday praised Wolf's action on Ezell's case.

"Here’s a doctor of 30 years who had not so much as a speeding ticket, and then his whole life is ruined for giving his wife medicine that’s now legal in Pennsylvania," Fetterman said in a statement. "What an example of the destructive power of reefer madness."

Ezell's daughter, Victoria, a nurse who also lost her license because of charges filed against her in the case, will be heard before the Board of Pardons in June.

"He lost his wife, his career, everything," Fetterman said of Ezell. "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."