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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Cannabis Granny to Challenge Hain
Vicky Shaw Press Association
Sunday 10 Apr 2005 A grandmother who was spared jail after cooking up treats laced with cannabis for friends and neighbours plans to stand against House of Commons leader Peter Hain in the election, it emerged today. 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 had 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. Sentencing the former chef 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, however he would not be making her a martyr. The grandmother told Wales on Sunday newspaper how she plans to stand against the Secretary of State for Wales in his Neath constituency for the Legalise Cannabis Alliance. She told the newspaper: "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." Mrs Tabram has become something of a celebrity in recent months. She has continued to use cannabis, claiming it relieves her medical problems and has none of the side-effects of NHS drugs. From her remote bungalow in rural Northumberland, Tabram has continued to cook, making her chicken and leek pies, curries, beef casseroles, chocolate cakes and biscuits - all laced with the illegal herb. The greying and spectacled grandmother began cooking regularly for friends, who all suffer similar medical problems to her. The unrepentant pensioner has also written a book called Grandma Eats Cannabis and hopes to have it published. Mr Hain responded: "At the end of the day, this is an election that will decide the future of Wales." He said votes for fringe candidates could help to allow the Conservatives back into power. "The Government takes the problem of drugs very seriously. The public are sick of drug-fuelled crime and the menace of crack houses and dealers on our streets," Mr Hain added. "This Government has no intention of softening the British drugs laws." -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.9.7 - Release Date: 12/04/2005
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