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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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Canada: Smoking Pot Eases Wife's Pain, Court Told Nathalie Trepanier Ottawa Sun (CN ON) Thursday 29 Nov 2001 High drama played out in Hull court yesterday as Raymond Turmel wrapped up his defence with the testimony of his disabled wife. Denise Beaudoin could only pronounce her name while being sworn in before she burst into uncontrollable sobs. "Fifty-six," she finally managed when asked her age. Beaudoin was called to her husband's trial to explain her numerous pains and problems with depression. Turmel, 49, is accused of possessing and cultivating marijuana with the intent to traffic. Several witnesses, including Beaudoin, told the court that Turmel provided the marijuana to ease their suffering. The court heard how Beaudoin had been in a car accident in 1989 and hospitalized for three months as a result. "I took a lot of medication for pain and they all had side effects," she told the court. "I would vomit, get dizzy and throw up too," Beaudoin continued through a stream of tears. "It's really bad. I've always got pain." Beaudoin said she met Turmel during the ice storm of 1998 when the two lived on the same block. Almost immediately, she said, she began taking marijuana to ease her pain. "The only thing that helps is smoking marijuana," Beaudoin said. Asked by the Crown how much marijuana she would smoke before her husband was arrested in July 2000 and his plants seized, Beaudoin became angry, insisting she could not estimate the quantity. Pressed by the judge, Beaudoin guessed she probably smoked about five or six joints a day. Beaudoin's physician, Dr. Carole Williams, also burst into tears when sworn in yesterday. The jury had already been told that Williams' brother had been killed about 10 years ago and the return to court prompted painful memories. Williams testified that Beaudoin insisted she felt better when smoking marijuana. Final arguments are expected on Monday.
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