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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Gran locked up for growing cannabis to treat MS after NHS withdrew pain relief Stephen White The Mirror Tuesday 07 Jan 2020 A grandmother was thrown in a police cell when she grew cannabis to treat her multiple sclerosis after the NHS withheld her pain-relief medicine. Lesley Gibson, 55, grew plants at home when her NHS prescription for cannabis-based medicine Sativex was suddenly withdrawn. The decision led to a police raid on her home, a night in a police cell and the threat of a prison sentence. Lesley told the Mirror of the raid on her home: “They arrived at 4pm on January 19 last year – six police officers with blue lights flashing on their vans. “My six-year-old granddaughter was in the house and she was absolutely traumatised. “She was asking why the police were taking away her grandma.” Lesley spent eight hours in a police cell and, along with husband Mark, 55, was charged with possession and cultivation of a class-B drug. After six months worrying they would be jailed, Lesley and Mark arrived at Carlisle crown court to find the Crown Prosecution Service had abandoned the case. Prosecutor Brendan Burke conceded that the Gibsons had only grown cannabis at their home in Morton, Carlisle, only after her Sativex medication was withdrawn. However, he insisted that the couple had broken the law and would be prosecuted if they did so again. After the court case, Lesley said: “We had 10 small plants. “They were in our spare room and produced just enough cannabis for me to treat my symptoms. “I was had been on Sativex for over 10 years but it was withdrawn from me, I think because of cost. It was easy and convenient, just a spray that you squirted under your tongue.” She said of being charged with drug crimes: “To find myself in that situation was frightening, I’m a law-abiding person, I’ve never done anything dishonest in my life. “It was cruel, horrible, wicked and pointless to pursue me and Mark for all these months and it’s taken a massive toll on my health. “What is the point is persecuting MS patients who use cannabis? How does that benefit anybody?” Lesley owned a hairdressing salon until the MS, which struck her at 19, became too severe. She says she will now have to pay £700 a month to buy her Sativex prescription and added: “I must face bankruptcy because the law says I can’t grow a few cannabis plants.” https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/gran-locked-up-growing-cannabis-21234810?fbclid=IwAR1h6H8Ol_tzuLR8YfkFlbbkLzFgEUZC_L13CIZIYz6iL4fO-ENk7lqt7no
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