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Shopkeeper Cannabis found guilty of drugs charges

Nicky Burridge

Ananova

Thursday 26 Oct 2000


A shopkeeper who changed his name to Free Rob Cannabis has been found
guilty of growing cannabis plants and possessing a range of drugs
including LSD and Ecstasy.

Cannabis, 33, of Glastonbury, Somerset, denied possessing all the
substances which were found in his shop and house.

The jury took three hours and five minutes to find Cannabis guilty of
one count of producing cannabis, one count of possessing cannabis, and
three counts of possessing the Class A drugs Ecstasy, LSD and DMT. He
was also found guilty of one count of possessing cannabis with intent
to supply.

He was found not guilty of one count of possessing magic mushrooms, at
the judge's direction. Cannabis, who was defending himself, had told
Taunton Crown Court that he was a shaman and had an allegiance to the
Hindu god of cannabis Lord Shiva.

He added he had a right to grow and use cannabis under Article Nine of
the European Convention of European Rights, which gives everyone the
right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and has now been
incorporated into English law.

Cannabis appeared in court wearing only clothes made out of hemp. He
assumed the name Free Rob Cannabis a number of years ago to draw
attention to his belief that it should not be unlawful to cultivate
and use cannabis.

He told the court: "I believe I have the birth right to cultivate and
use the cannabis plant for all its uses. I have used all the
substances listed, with the possible exception of the MDMA (Ecstasy)
in a shamanic way."

"I believe that right is protected by law, it's my assertion that that
law (the Misuse of Drugs Act) is in contravention of my human rights."

Judge Stephen O'Malley deferred sentence for a pre-sentence report.

Richard English, prosecuting, made an application for the defendant to
pay costs of £2,000.

 

 

 

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