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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Two searches for the truth about cannabis
Richard Elias, Crime Correspondent Daily Post, Liverpool
Friday 08 Feb 2002 THERE are two separate trials being conducted into whether or not cannabis can help alleviate the symptoms of multiple sclerosis. It is expected that these tests will be completed by 2004 but even before that it seems likely that there will be some change in the law covering the use of the drug. The Government is currently growing around 5,000 cannabis plants at a secret laboratory and using hundreds of MS and epilepsy suffers as "guinea pigs". A company called GW Pharmaceuticals has been giving the licence by the Home Office to carry out the work but a second experiment is being conducted independently by another private company to try and work out, once-and-for-all whether the benefits are as great has been claimed. Yesterday, a spokesman for the Multiple Sclerosis Society, said: "We never recommend our members to break the law. However, for the last 15 years we have been calling upon the courts and magistrates to treat cases where people are using cannabis to alleviate their pain to treat them sympathetically." Robert Gartside was diagnosed with MS in 1992 and began using the drug about ten years ago after hearing of its therapeutic qualities. He said: "I have had to use cannabis for the last ten years. I buy cannabis from cannabis users and because of that I mix socially with cannabis users. "In my opinion they are not the most obnoxious of people. There are far worse people out there. "A lot of senior police officers advocate the legal use of cannabis and I pleaded not guilty because I use cannabis medicinally." He was backed yesterday by North West Euro MP Chris Davies, who has himself been charged with cannabis possession and is currently awaiting trial. Liberal Democrat Mr Davies said: "It may be against the law to take cannabis, either recreationally or for medicinal purposes but it is a crime with no victim. "No ne came to harm as a result of this person taking cannabis, quite the contrary. It is ridiculous and illogical to pursue cases of this kind. It is not only illogical but hypocritical and downright cruel to this person." Over the years, there have been numerous well-publicised trials, similar to his each of which has once again brought the debate about legalising cannabis to the fore. In 1998, a Cheshire cab driver, accused of growing and supplying the drug to his wife who suffered from multiple sclerosis, was cleared of all charges. Alan Blythe told Warrington Crown Court, that without the cannabis he feared his wife, Judith, would try to commit suicide because of the immense pain the condition left her in. Afterwards, he said: "I have never stopped giving her cannabis and I never will." Two years ago, Adrienne Staniford, a grandmother from Merseyside who smokes cannabis to ease the pain of MS, said the drug should be legally available on prescription. She said: "I know it is illegal but it works for me and it could help many others too. It does not leave me as high as a kite or anything ." But police forces, officially, remain unconvinced about the drug. Last night, a Merseyside Police spokesman said: "We are currently awaiting the results of a review carried out by the Association of Chief Police Officers which is due to be completed later this month. "When that is published, it will clarify the position for police forces across England and Wales."
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