UK: Cannabis Still 'Illegal' - Attorney General's Counsel

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Mike Taylor

Press Association

Thursday 17 Feb 2005

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Prosecuting authorities maintained an uncompromising stance today in the
face of a claim that people who supply or use cannabis to relieve severe
chronic pain should not be treated as criminals.

Counsel for Attorney General Lord Goldsmith reminded the Court of Appeal
that, despite its downgrading to a Class C drug, cannabis was still illegal.

Its supply was "wholly unlawful" except for special purposes such as
research, said Jonathan Rees.

"On any view, it simply cannot be right for this court to countenance
someone who is medically unqualified supplying drugs, which have dangers
attached, to other people without regulation," he said.

As a matter of public law and order, "we don't want everyone setting up
their own little home pharmacy".

Mr Rees was arguing against the acquittal of Jeffrey Ditchfield on a charge
of possessing cannabis with intent to supply.

Mr Ditchfield, of north Wales, was cleared on the basis that he had a
defence of "necessity" or "duress of circumstance" when he gave cannabis to
chronic pain sufferers.

Whatever the appeal judges decide on the legal issues raised by the
Attorney General in his case, Mr Ditchfield cannot now be convicted of the
offence.

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