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UK: Man grew cannabis to relieve eczema

Eastern Daily Press, Norfolk

Saturday 28 Aug 2004

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A man who grew his own cannabis was given a conditional discharge by
magistrates after they accepted he was smoking it to relieve the symptoms
of his severe eczema.

Ian Howarth, 25, of Falkland Close, Hellesdon, near Norwich, admitted
growing cannabis, driving off without paying for UKP15 worth of petrol and
stealing two packs of ointment from Asda.

After the case, a Norfolk doctor leading clinical trials into the use of
cannabis in the treatment of ailments said thousands more people suffering
pain and discomfort could be helped but for the stigma of taking the drug.

Dr William Notcutt, who spearheaded Britain's first clinical trial of the
drug at the James Paget Hospital, Gorleston, said cannabis or its
derivatives could help people with conditions like eczema.

"We know some cannabis derivatives have an effect on pain in rheumatoid
arthritis," he said. "It doesn't surprise me that someone is using cannabis
in this way."

Passing sentence at Norwich Magistrates' Court, deputy district judge Irena
Ray-Crosby told Howarth: "I totally accept the reasons for cultivating
cannabis. It was not done for fun. This is totally because of your
exceptional circumstances. You are obviously suffering."

Prosecutor Ben Brighouse said Howarth went to the Wayside service station
in Dereham Road, Costessey. He put UKP15 worth of petrol into his Nissan
Micra car but left the garage without paying for it.

Howarth was traced through his car, and when police went to his home they
noticed the powerful odour of cannabis.

The found cannabis leaves and also plants being grown under
temperature-controlled conditions. There was a total of 17 plants, 10 of
them just seedlings.

Mr Brighouse said the estimated value of the leaves and plants was about
UKP800.

Anna Farquharson, for Howarth, said he was on sickness benefit because of
his acute eczema.

"He tells me smoking cannabis alleviates the itching and very often the
pain he suffers from eczema. He is regularly admitted to hospital, so bad
is his eczema," she said.

Dr Notcutt has expressed his frustration that the Department of Health had
not yet agreed to make cannabis available as a painkiller on the NHS.

 

 

 

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