Date: 11 apr 2005

A GRANDMA spared jail after cooking up treats laced with cannabis plans to stand against Welsh secretary Peter Hain in the election.

Patricia Tabram, who prides herself on her home-made herbal cookies, casseroles and soups, admitted possessing cannabis with intent to supply

from her home in East Lea, Humshaugh, near Hexham, Northumberland.

The sprightly 66-year-old cooked up treats laced with the drug for neighbours and friends in her village after being introduced to it last year.

Mrs Tabram admitted buying the cannabis in bulk for herself and four friends, who all take the drug to relieve medical problems.

The former chef was sentenced to six months, suspended for two years, at Newcastle Crown Court last week. Judge David Hodson said the offence was so serious only a custodial sentence was appropriate but he would not be making her a martyr.

The grass-growing granny now plans to stand against Mr Hain in his Neath constituency for the Legalise Cannabis Alliance.

She said: "There are quite a lot of candidates standing for the Alliance in Wales because the Welsh seem to know more of the facts and the history of cannabis."

She added: "If I'm voted for, I'm going to promise people in this country I will fight for the rights of every man and woman to receive safe medication.

"It's going to be a hell of a long journey and I'll probably be dead before we win the argument."

The unrepentant pensioner has also written a book called Grandma Eats Cannabis and hopes to have it published. . Rhyl cannabis campaigner Jeffrey Ditchfield plans to stand for the Legalise Cannabis Alliance against Labour's Chris Ruane in the Vale of Clwyd constituency.

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