Subj: Mr Cannabis and the case of planted evidence

Date: Aug 4, 1998

Source: The Times

AUTHOR:	JOANNA BALE



Mr Cannabis and the case of planted evidence



A MAN who changed his name to Free R Cannabis was convicted yesterday of

possessing the drug after trying to present a marijuana plant to the Home

Secretary.



Cannabis, 30, formerly Robert Christopher, walked free from courtafter being

given a conditional discharge. The hemp shop owner was arrested as he

brandished the plant during a demonstration outside the Home Office  by

supporters of the legalisation of cannabis. Dressed in a hemp collar and

tie, Cannabis, who conducted his own defence, told Southwark Crown Court

that he planned the protest after being jailed for refusing to pay a £100

fine for possession of 1 1/2 g of cannabis.  



Cannabis, of Glastonbury, Somerset, explained that he had challenged Jack

Straw to a live television debate on the benefits and uses of cannabis in

medicine, fuel and clothing. Mr Straw had not replied, so he had gone to the

Home Office in February with the intention of presenting the Home Secretary

with a cannabis plant.



Although Cannabis admitted that the plant was his, he pleaded not guilty to

possession of a Class B drug. He told the court that he wanted to challenge

the law because he believes that cannabis is not a drug. He said: "This is

deliberate misinformation put out by the Government to support the

deliberate oppression of civil rights." He claimed that there is

considerable scientific evidence to show that cannabis is a "safe, harmless,

benign, health-promoting herb".



After a unanimous guilty verdict, Judge Bathurst Norman conditionally

discharged him for 12 months, telling him that he had clearly been making a

"political gesture". Cannabis, who will appeal against conviction, was

ordered to pay £100 towards prosecution costs.