Source: South London Press, UK

Pub date: Monday, 6 September 2004

Subj: Cannabis campaigner dies

Web: http://icsouthlondon.icnetwork.co.uk

A multiple sclerosis sufferer who fought a legal battle in an attempt to use cannabis to relieve her symptoms has died.

Elizabeth Ivol - known as Biz - from Orkney was taken to court last year on charges of supplying and possessing cannabis. A family spokesman at Ms Ivol's home in South Ronaldsay confirmed that she had died.

The case against Ms Ivol, 56, collapsed in July 2003 when the Crown dropped the charges against her. Afterwards, Ms Ivol - who had publicly said she wanted to take her own life once the case was over - was taken to hospital in Orkney after being found unconscious in her home. -Despite openly admitting taking the drug, Ms Ivol pleaded not guilty to the charges, saying she felt she had done nothing wrong.

At the trial, Ms Ivol, who was in a wheelchair, said she began taking cannabis to numb the pain, which she described as like having "barbed wire going through my spine".

Kirkwall Sheriff Court also heard that she developed cannabis Belgian chocolates and special cannabis patches to help alleviate the symptoms for others suffering from the condition, which has no cure.

Ms Ivol said taking the drug relaxed her muscle spasms and helped increase her appetite.

The court heard that her life had become almost unbearable since the onset of her condition in the early 1990s.

Ms Ivol said she had toyed with the idea of taking cannabis for two years but was unsure due to the stigma attached to its use.

At her home in South Ronaldsay, a spokesman said the family wished to be left alone to grieve in peace.