Source: Evening News, Norwich, UK

Pub Date: Monday 30 June 2003

Pub LTE: Why punish the sick?

Contact: EveingNewsLetters@archant.co.uk

Comment: Newhawk's headline

WHY PUNISH THE SICK?

So Cromer magistrates have sentenced a 69 year-old pensioner to severe cramp in both his legs for a year ("Man, 69, admits growing cannabis", Evening News, June 24)

You reported that Bernard Holt, who lost his leg four years ago after an operation went wrong, found that cannabis "made the pain go away". He had apparently found the cannabis growing in his greenhouse - well, after all it is a weed and the seed is present in birdseed. But who had this man harmed? How had he threatened society? Who will come forward as a victim for his so-called crimes? Who will testify against him?

Only those paid to do so by the state, out of the taxpayer's purse!

Surely we don't want to see the courts punishing people for growing a plant at home to ease their pain, rather than be a burden on the drug-peddling health services?

Can anyone justify this type of prosecution? What Right did the police have to invade his privacy? Was the prosecution really in the public interest?

It's time we rid ourselves of this sort mis-application of the Misuse of Drugs Act, for in this case, at least, it was a use, not a misuse at all.

Alun Buffry

Legalise Cannabis Alliance

Norwich