24/10/2007 00:00:00
UK: Woman tells court she grew cannabis for an alternative medicine
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A WOMAN suffering from chronic pain in her muscles and ligaments grew
cannabis as an alternative medicine.
Goanita Jacques, 48, adds cannabis to her food to numb the constant
agony caused by fibromyalgia.
The condition she was diagnosed with 15 years ago, causes fatigue and
pain in her muscles and ligaments and Bradford Crown Court heard
prescription drugs do not relieve her daily discomfort.
Jacques, who has previous convictions for growing and possessing
cannabis, admitted growing cannabis plants.
Paul Nicholson, prosecuting, said police visited her home in Hirst
Grove, Dodnaze, Hebden Bridge, on September 20, after reports of someone
growing drugs in the garden.
They found seven plants, of around 3ft tall, in the garden, nine of
similar size inside and three small seedlings.
Mr Nicholson said: "Her reply was "You can't get it on the National Health."
Jacques was arrested, while the plants were seized and will now be
destroyed.
Camille Morland, for Jacques, said: "She spends 24 hours a day in some
degree of pain and discomfort."
A letter from her doctor confirmed the drug helps Jacques's condition,
and Miss Morland said Jacques also disliked side-effects caused by her
prescription drugs, which include memory loss, dryness of mouth and
tiredness.
"She does not derive any pleasure from her use of cannabis."
Judge Peter Benson said he had a great deal of sympathy for her, but
added: "There are many ways of treating it without resorting to
cannabis. This was a flagrant piece of unlawful activity."
He gave Jacques a two month suspended sentence with a six-month
supervision order.
http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/Drugs-grown-to-ease-her.3406080.jp
Source:
http://www.ukcia.org/news/shownewsarticle.php?articleid=12931
Author:
Halifax Courier via UKCIA
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