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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Ill man's drugs plea fails
Scarborough Evening Post
Friday 11 Oct 2002 A MAN who grew his own cannabis to help ease the pain of arthritis has been given 150 hours of community service. Thomas Trainer, 56, of Oxcliff, Scarborough, told the town's magistrates he took the drug only for medicinal purposes. After the case he said the punishment was "a bit harsh." Earlier this week a man was cleared of possessing cannabis by magistrates in Wales after he told them he used it to relieve pain from a bone disease. Father-of-two Brad Stephens of Camarthen, West Wales, was cleared of the possession charge despite police finding £300 of cannabis at his home. This was Trainer's first conviction for drug possession. He was also ordered him to pay £120 costs. After the case Trainer said: "I thought 150 hours was a bit harsh. I only smoked it to ease the pain I get from my arthritis. "I would be in agony, then I would have half a joint and suddenly I would feel like I could cycle to Filey. It's better than the valium doctors prescribe." The court had earlier heard that police acting on a tip off seized 10 cannabis plants. They also found growing equipment including two lamps and silver foil. In his police interview Trainer admitted possession of cannabis, but said he used it to ease the pain of his arthritis. Marcus Topham, in mitigation, said Trainer decided to grow his own cannabis after the cost of buying the drug on the black market became too high. He said there was no evidence at all to suggest that Trainer was growing the cannabis for commercial purposes.
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