A Somerset County man pleaded not guilty today to drug production charges for allegedly growing 17 marijuana plants outside his home.

John Ray Wilson, 36, of Franklin Township, suffers from multiple sclerosis. His lawyer said Wilson uses the drug to help alleviate his symptoms.

Wilson is charged with maintaining or operating a drug production facility and with drug manufacturing. The plants were discovered on Aug. 18.During an arraignment and status conference in Somerville, Wilson's attorney, James Wronko rejected the state's plea offer of six years in prison, three of them mandatory.

A helicopter pilot noticed the plants and contacted State Police, according to court papers. Members of the New Jersey State Police Marijuana Eradication Squad, Somerset County Prosecutor's Office and Franklin met with Wilson, authorities said.

Wilson was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in February 2002 and has no health insurance. He uses the marijuana and venom from bee stings to alleviate his symptoms, Wronko said.

"I can't conceive of any circumstances in which I would ever plead Mr .Wilson, or anyone for that matter, to three years in state prison because they were growing marijuana for personal use to treat multiple sclerosis," Wronko said after court.

The marijuana plants were mixed among other plants on the property. Wilson was growing marijuana so he would not have to get involved with street-level drug dealers, Wronko said.

Wilson's court proceedings come amid a debate in Trenton over medicinal marijuana. On Monday, the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee approved a bill that would grant patients of debilitating diseases and chronic illnesses access to the drug to ease their suffering.

Under the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act, patients would need a written recommendation from their doctor and approval from the state Department of Health and Senior Services, which would issue identification cards. The patients could possess up to six plants and one ounce of usable marijuana under the bill, which is awaiting a full Senate vote.

Wilson is accused of manufacturing more than 10 plants. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in state prison.

"I can't imagine the Legislature of the state of New Jersey would want to subject someone who is growing 10 marijuana plants outside to the same penalties as someone who is manufacturing methamphetamine, packaging and distributing" that drug, Wronko said. "He's facing a more severe sentence than a high-level dealer of crack cocaine would face."