Source: Press & Journal, Aberdeen

Date: Thursday, 10 July 2003

Subj: UK: Biz Supporters Take Case For Cannabis To Court

Author: David Perry

Ref: Biz Ivol http://www.ccguide.org/bizivol.php

Chris Baldwin http://www.ccguide.org/chrisbaldwin.php

A GROUP of supporters of Orkney cannabis campaigner Biz Ivol demonstrated in Parliament Square, London, last night over the attempts to prosecute her.

Campaigners unveiled a banner proclaiming "Biz Ivol - Herbal Suffragette" opposite the main entrance to the Commons.

The case against Mrs Ivol, 55, an MS-sufferer from Herston, South Ronaldsay, was dropped earlier this month, after being pursued for two years, when she was taken to hospital after attempting to commit suicide.

She had pleaded not guilty to three charges involving the possession, production and supply of cannabis, but admitted under cross-examination that she had produced cannabis chocolates to help fellow MS sufferers.

The case was dropped at Kirkwall Sheriff Court on the stated grounds of her deteriorating medical condition.

Wheelchair-bound Chris Baldwin, representing the Herb Connection, denied reports that the case had been dropped because she had been taken to hospital, claiming the real reason was that the prosecution was at last recognised as not to be in the public interest.

He said: "I am here to remind Government about Biz Ivol and make sure they are not allowed to forget the case, which should never have been brought.

"Mrs Ivol would never have deteriorated as rapidly were it not for the stress the case put her under.

"Millions of people who need cannabis for medical reasons are, being denied it."

Rob Scott-Wright, also of the 'Herb Connection', said: "Mrs Ivol would not have been put into a frame of mind to take her own life if the state had not persecuted her for two years.

Unless this Government changes its policy, it will happen again"

One of the demonstrators was arrested by police for smoking a cannabis joint.