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Medical cannabis for the UK? Canna Zine Canna Zine Sunday 17 Aug 2008 There are quite literally, legions of otherwise law abiding citizens around the UK, who grow and consume cannabis as a result of a medical condition. And for doing so, they face trips to court, (for many its their first), a criminal record which can hinder job prospects, and in the case of one unfortunate medical cannabis grower from Rugby, a 1 year jail term. Just weeks before Christmas 2007, Roderick Cotton was sentenced to 1 year in prison by Warwick Crown Court, after he told the Judge he refused to stop growing cannabis. But its not quite the "open & shut" case it first sounds. Mr Cotton grew cannabis on behalf of people who used it in the relief of the pain and discomfort, brought about by medical conditions such as cancer, HIV, Glaucoma and MS. Conditions which the local government in California, (headed up by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger), allows a doctor to prescribe cannabis to relieve the symptoms of. And for which a GP in Sacramento California, has absolutely no doubts of the efficacy of, as a "clinical" medicine. Dr. Philip Denney, who has practices in Sacramento and Redding, says there is no question that cannabis is medicine, and he recommends and prescribes it daily, and for patients suffering from a variety of ailments. Cops on Pot? Dr. Denney says of his patients, “They are your friends and neighbours, they are fixing your tyres, working in your banks and they are your police officers. People have used cannabis as medicine for 10,000 years. It has an extremely long history of successful use as a medicine.” Its a compelling argument and Dr Denney is not alone in his opinions. Lester Grinspoon is Associate Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and the author of several drug-related books, including Marijuana Reconsidered, Psychedelic Drugs Reconsidered, and Marijuana: The Forbidden Medicine. He has testified before Congress, and as an expert witness in various legal proceedings, including the deportation hearings of John Lennon. In a situation which saw the gamekeeper turn poacher, Dr Grinspoon starting writing his first book as he attempted to build a case against marijuana. But as he came to know and understand the subject he realised how deep and complex cannabis "the plant" was. As a result of his research he completely changed his view point, and now advocates "controlled" legalization of cannabis, which is quite a challenge from an "Ivy League" Professor of Psychiatry? Closer to home (The Hague) and the Dutch government have recently heard an application for an extension on the Dutch medical cannabis intiative. In Holland, with a doctors note, you can receive cannabis from government run pharmacies on the high street. But as there is no cannabis black market in Holland to speak of, 'medical grade' cannabis is widely available anyway, and as a result of this, Holland boasts some of the lowest cannabis use figures in Europe. Meanwhile, 300 miles west of the Dutch administrative capital, (in Stroud, UK), a 52 year old businessman recently appeared in court for the first time in his life, accused of growing his own cannabis. Simon Broad told the courts he used cannabis to treat a painful combination of back pain, and sciatica, brought about as a result of a traffic accident some years ago. He was caught growing cannabis plants by police and was convicted last month for possession, for which he was sentenced to 120 hours' community service. And with court cases costing sometimes hundreds of thousands of pounds someone really needs to ask the question of whether carrying out these prosecutions is in the best interests of the public? Or, does it cost more to punish than the 'crime' is worth? With doctors and psychiatrists prescribing cannabis in countries we treat as close trading partners and "allies at war", isn't it about time our medical cannabis users were afforded similar rights and taken out of the war on drugs once and for all? It makes sense politically, and it'll save the country a fortune! http://pr.cannazine.co.uk/content/view/525/27/
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