23/01/2008 00:00:00
UK: Man grew cannabis to alleviate pain
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A MAN suffering a painful degenerative illness set up a secret cannabis
farm in his attic, a court was told.
Burnley Magistrates heard how Craig Gregory, 34, who was suffering from
the muscle wasting disease fibromyalgia, felt prescription medication
was doing him more harm than good and decided to try cannabis as an
alternative.
Police who searched his home found 44 plants together with fans, high
powered lighting, reflective paper, food and thermometers.
Seventeen plants were mature and there was a "mother" plant from which
cuttings could be taken.
Gregory, of Woodbine Road, Burnley, admitted cultivating cannabis. He
was given a three month curfew order, seven days a week, between 7pm and
7am.
Andrew Robinson, prosecuting, told the court police discovered a small
room built specifically for cannabis growing inside the loft. It was not
a completely professional set up, but it had an element of
sophistication about it.
There were 26 small plants and a mother plant, which was unusual, as
they were hard to grow. The defendant was arrested and when interviewed
made a full and frank admission to growing cannabis.
Ian Bonney, defending, said Gregory had a muscle wasting disease and
suffered spasms and pain. The cannabis growing was on a relatively small
scale and the drugs were not for recreational use.
His doctor had given him anti-depressants, anti inflammatory drugs and
pain killers but the defendant felt they were doing him more harm than
good and were addictive. He decided to grow cannabis to cope with the
pain and spasms.
Mr Bonney said: "I think his GP does accept cannabis has medicinal
benefits to him. Rather than going out and buying drugs on a street
corner or in a pub and committing crime to fund this treatment, he felt
it more appropriate to set up his own system."
The solicitor said there was no suggestion the drugs were for anything
other than personal use.
The defendant, who had held down a part-time job and was of "relatively
good character" had tried to grow cannabis once before.
There was no suggestion he had by-passed his electricity meter.
http://www.burnleycitizen.co.uk/
Source:
http://www.ukcia.org/news/shownewsarticle.php?articleid=13195
Author:
Burnley Citizen via UKCIA
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