Published on 8 March, 2001

Source: The Orcadian

Orkney MS sufferer Biz Ivol is being sent free cannabis packages through the post as a direct result of her efforts

for legalisation of the drug.

The outspoken cannabis user is also sent free and anonymous envelopes containing cannabis seeds.

Biz (52), from Herston in South Ronaldsay, said that she has eight packages containing the drug stored in her freezer. "I

am sending it out as quickly as I am getting it," she said.

"The police are wasting their time trying to stop it. There are too many people using it now to prosecute."

She continued: "There is never anything in the envelopes with the cannabis, but a few days or weeks later I'll get a

card saying 'I hope it arrived'."

Biz Ivol and fellow Multiple Sclerosis sufferer Bill Reeve, from Burray, are likely to have added to the number of people using cannabis, for they send out information packs detailing information about the drug - including how to get

hold of it.

Biz, who has been outspoken about her personal cannabis use, says the pack was as a result of the many phone calls

received each week.

They have sent out hundreds of packs to sufferers of MS and other diseases.

"Everybody seems to be in contact with each other now. There is a huge network of people with MS, literally thousands,

tens of thousands, who are using it now," Biz added.

It also came to light in a phone call to Biz that it was possible to get hold of cannabis seed from Kirkwall pet

shop, Petmania.

"It is included in a bird seed," she said. "It is not illegal to buy cannabis seed, it is just illegal once you

put it in the soil."

However, pet shop owner Mr Alasdair Thom, said that while his suppliers confirmed that bird mixes do contain cannabis

seed, it is useless to anyone who plans to grow it.

"It goes through a process which means it will not germinate," he said.

Biz also criticised people for "jumping on the bandwagon" and using the law of necessity in court cases by people

charged with supplying the drug.

"Everybody seems to be using the law of necessity," Biz said, while highlighting the recent court case in The

Orcadian when an Orkney man was found guilty of intending to supply cannabis resin. He maintained that he used the drug to alleviate back pain.

The Home Office are among the hundreds who have requested the information pack from Biz and Bill.

The Home Office became aware of Bill and Biz in a Christmas card sent out by the couple, which highlighted their work

for the legalisation of the drug.

The cards were sent to numerous organisations and cabinet ministers, including the Prime Minister Tony Blair, giving

details of how to obtain a pack.

In a reply to the card from the Home Office Action Against Drugs Unit, they state: "The prohibition on the prescribing

of cannabis hinges directly on the fact that the medical benefits of the drug have not been demonstrated.

"Whilst there is considerable anecdotal evidence of its medical benefits in alleviating the symptoms of a number of

medical conditions, such as your own experience, there is little research-based evidence, and the results of the

research as has been carried out are inconclusive."

However the letter concludes that if trials into cannabis use are successful and lead to a medical preparation which

is approved by the Medicines Control Agency, the Government has said they will be willing to prescribe it.

Biz said the Government were using a delaying tactic, as research has been going on since the 1970s into the use of

cannabis.

"As long as the MPs are in the pockets of the drug companies they will try and delay legalisation. The brewers don't want

it to happen as it would mean people were using cannabis instead of drinking," she said.

*The Belgian Cabinet have approved the decriminilisation of personal consumption of cannabis within the past few weeks.

Under the plan, it will no longer be illegal to grow, import or consume cannabis for personal consumption.