Mr Cannabis invokes UN Human Rights charter in drugs trial

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Dave Higgens

Ananova

Tuesday 24 Oct 2000

A shopkeeper who changed his name to Free Rob Cannabis is on trial
accused of growing cannabis plants and possessing a range of drugs,
including LSD and Ecstasy.

A jury at Taunton Crown Court has heard that Cannabis, 33, of
Glastonbury, Somerset, did not deny possessing all the substances
which were found at his shop and home. But he told police who
interviewed him that he believed the laws forbidding possession of
such drugs contravened Article 18 of the United Nations Charter of
Human Rights.

He denies one count of producing cannabis, one count of possessing
cannabis, one count of possessing cannabis with intent to supply, and
four counts of possessing the Class A drugs Ecstasy, LSD, magic
mushrooms and DMA respectively.

Mr Richard English, prosecuting said: "He was very candid. What he
said in essence was he accepted the seizure from his premises and in
essence he accepted he was in possession. What he did not accept was
that the items were controlled drugs and it was therefore illegal for
him to possess them."

After mentioning Article 18 of the Charter, Cannabis said: "I do not
recognise any law which infringes that", Mr English told the jury.

Earlier Judge Stephen O'Malley told the jury that the defendant had
assumed the name Free Rob Cannabis a number of years ago, adding: "He
did this to draw attention to his belief that it should not be
unlawful to cultivate and use the cannabis plant for all its uses."

Mr English says two police officers spotted what they thought were
cannabis plants through the window of Cannabis's Glastonbury shop, In
Harmony With Nature, on July 30 last year.

Cannabis was arrested and further substances were found in his
possession at the police station. A search of the shop revealed what
officers believed were 21 cannabis plants growing in the back garden
and when police went to his home further alleged drugs were found.
When Cannabis was first arrested at his shop he said: "Forgive them
for they do not know what they are doing."

Mr English says that Cannabis was further arrested at Wells Police
Station and he collapsed in "active laughter and it took him a few
minutes to calm down". Cannabis, who is defending himself, sat in
court sporting short hair and glasses and wearing a cream linen-style
suit.

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