16/04/2007 01:00:00
UK: Cannabis laws 'barbaric': MP
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A disabled woman found guilty of growing and possessing cannabis is
“paying for the cowardice of politicians of all parties”, according to a
Labour MP.
Paul Flynn, MP for Newport West, said it was “barbaric” that Patricia
Tabram was being penalised for using the medicine of her choice.
Mrs Tabram, 68, who uses cannabis to ease her depression and pain, was
convicted at Carlisle Crown Court last month of growing and possessing
the drug. She was fined £1,000 and ordered to carry out 250 hours of
community service, but is planning to appeal against her conviction.
She now plans to drive around the country handing out cannabis to
disabled people who have contacted her to say their existing medication
isn’t working. She will sleep in the back of her car as she can’t afford
hotels.
It was the second high-profile case this year in which a disabled person
has been convicted of charges relating to medicinal cannabis, following
that of Lezley Gibson (DN, March, page 3).
Mr Flynn, who has arthritis, said: “She was not involved in the illegal
market, she knew the strength and purity of the cannabis, and she made
an intelligent adult decision on risk to herself. Politicians are
cowardly and have put their faith in policies that appear to be tough
and have the support of the popular press and they lack the courage [to
reform the drug laws].”
Dr Brian Iddon, MP for Bolton South East, whose wife has arthritis, said
he wants medicinal cannabis legalised so she can test the drug herself.
He said: “It is unbelievable, in the 21st century, that somebody
suffering from pain that gets relief from using cannabis and nothing
else should be treated harshly by the judicial system.”
Mrs Tabram told DN she was “aggrieved” at the outcome of her case and
has been receiving letters from desperate people.
She said: “I was sitting and crying yesterday morning. A 90-year-old
lady saying, ‘Please, please help me. I’m on all this medication, I
can’t get out of my dressing gown, the medication is not killing my pain
and I never sleep. Please, please can you help me?’.”
She said: “They can take me to prison as many times as they like but I
will not give up medicating with a natural herb.”
http://www.disabilitynow.org.uk/news/news_apr_2007_002.htm
Source:
http://www.ukcia.org/news/shownewsarticle.php?articleid=12449
Author:
Disability Now via UKCIA
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