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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Son guilty over 'cannabis cream'
BBC Online
Tuesday 22 Mar 2005 A computer consultant gave up his ukp60,000-a-year job to develop a cannabis cream as pain relief for his mother, a court has heard. Stephen Renton, 38, grew more than 770 plants, with a potential street value of ukp77,000, in the attic of his flat. His mother Sheila has suffered from chronic nerve end damage for 10 years, while Renton has chronic joint pain. He pleaded guilty to producing and supplying cannabis and sentence was deferred for background reports. Firefighters discovered the crop, the largest ever found in the Lothian and Borders area, when a blaze caused by an electrical fault broke out at Renton's flat in Midlothian. When police raided his home they found a stack of books on growing the crop, a sophisticated hydroponic system worth up to ukp6,000, a generator and extensive lighting. In the garage were seeds and plant cuttings stored in bin bags. Advocate Depute Alex Prentice told the High Court in Edinburgh that when his flat went on fire, Renton panicked about his illegal crop and fled, but later returned. He was arrested and told officers that he "was experimenting with the drug to help his own ailments and those of others for medical purposes". 'An obsession' When questioned he admitted giving some of the buds to five friends as well as the finished creams to his parents. Solicitor-advocate Jim Stephenson said that Renton, who is now again employed as an information technology consultant in Manchester, had turned to cannabis after becoming disillusioned with NHS treatments and alternative medicines for pain. The lawyer said that his client was devoted to his parents and, after giving up his profession, channelled all his energy into developing the perfect plant and the perfect medicinal cream. "It became an obsession," he said. Mr Stephenson said the scheme had not been a commercial venture and "there was no sign of a lavish lifestyle". Following the flat blaze, Renton was in debt but is now once again earning a good wage and has recently married, he added. The accused pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of and producing cannabis between May 2002 and May 2004. Lady Dorrian deferred sentence for background reports and set a date for a hearing on the confiscation of crime proceeds.
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