Source:
Disability Now
Pubdate:
March 2005
Subj:
Grass roots get political
Web: http://www.disabilitynow.org.uk/search/z05_03_Ma/grass.shtml
Cited:
Chris Baldwin http://www.ccguide.org/chrisbaldwin.php
The
campaign to allow disabled people to relieve pain with cannabis is being
stepped up as the Legalise Cannabis Alliance (LCA) prepares candidates for the
general election.
Further
delays in a government decision on whether to approve a cannabis spray for
treating multiple sclerosis and concerns over a major court hearing involving
five cases related to medicinal use, have prompted disabled people to tackle
the issue at the ballot box.
Chris
Baldwin who uses cannabis to relieve pain from a mobility impairment, is one of
around 20 LCA members who intend to stand for election in May.
Further
candidates, and an election strategy, were expected to be discussed at the LCA
conference, which took place the day after DN went to press.
Mr
Baldwin, a seasoned election candidate, said he was more determined than ever
to get votes since being imprisoned for running two cannabis cafés in Worthing,
West Sussex. He used proceeds to subsidise a supply for medicinal users across
the UK.
“When
I was in prison my leg spasms got worse because I had no access to cannabis,”
he told DN. “They gave me liquid valium, Diazepam, but that turned me into a
zombie, so I went back to the pain.”
Mr Baldwin
believes cannabis should be fully legalised, which would help protect disabled
people and children from unscrupulous dealers.
He
believes legalisation would also protect those who supply for medicinal use,
three of whom were awaiting Court of Appeal decisions on their cases as DN went
to press.
Of two
others who were appealing convictions for using cannabis, one man said the drug
should only be permitted to relieve pain.
Reay
Wales, who spoke exclusively to DN after a court decision was delayed in
February, said: “I would not like to see young people getting started on it
when they don’t know what they are getting into.”
But Mr
Wales, who uses cannabis to relieve pain from chronic conditions, also said the
appealing suppliers should be “let off totally because they have been helping
people at no gain”.
He and
Barry Quayle, also disabled, will soon hear whether their convictions will be
quashed.
Arguments
centre on whether using cannabis to relieve pain on a continual basis is
necessary.
Mr
Wales said: “I don’t like breaking the law... but I will carry on using
cannabis as long as I can get it.”