CANNABIS
GRANNY FACES JAIL FOR POT PLANTS
Source:
Times on-line
Pub date:
Monday September 19, 2005
Subj:
Cannabis granny faces jail for pot plants
Author:
Philippe Naughton
Web: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1787951,00.html
Ref: Pat
Tabram http://www.ccguide.org/pattabram.php
Patricia
Tabram, a cannabis-growing grandmother, said today that she expects to be sent
to jail after police discovered four marijuana plants in her home.
The
66-year-old, who says that she is "medicating" friends who are sick
or in pain because conventional medicines do not work, compared herself to Emmeline Pankhurst, the pioneering
suffragist, saying she was willing to face her fate.
Mrs
Tabram was given a six-month prison term, suspended for two years, in April
when she admitted possessing cannabis with intent to supply from her home in
East Lea, in Humshaugh, near Hexham, Northumberland..
Acting on
a tip-off, Northumbria police raided her bungalow last week and found the
illegal plants. A spokeswoman said: "As a result of information received,
we executed a warrant at an address in the Hexham area on the morning of
Friday, September 16. A 66-year-old Hexham woman was arrested on suspicion of
cultivating cannabis and bailed pending further inquiries."
Mrs
Tabram said today: "The police raided my home on Friday morning. Three
officers came to the door and said ‘We’ve got information that you have been
growing plants’.
"They
went right through my home and found four plants, each about 4ft high, which I
have been trying to grow. The leaves were beginning to go brown and starting to
die. I’ve never successfully grown a plant but I do not want to have to go to a
criminal for my cannabis.
"I
realise I am going to go to prison," she added. "Emmeline Pankhurst
had to go to prison three times before women got the vote so I am not going to
be worried about it.
"I
have been thinking about things over the weekend and if the police charge me with
anything except for ‘my own use’, then I am going to plead not guilty and go to
trial
".I
have decided to defend myself. I am going to be my own solicitor, my own
barrister and my own criminal. I did not go to university but I have read many books
about this country’s drug laws and when I get into court I am going to tell the
judge and jury about the hypocrisy of our laws.
"I’m
going to do my best in court and if I get a bigger sentence, then tough
Charlie. If I get the same judge as last time, then tough Charlie.
"I’m
just an old, grey, tubby grandma and I’m going to fight this."
Mrs
Tabram, who prides herself on her homemade herbal cookies, casseroles and
soups, cuts an unlikely figure as a drug user.
She has cooked up treats laced with cannabis for neighbours and friends
in her village since being introduced to the Class C drug last year by friends and finding that it
helped to alleviate the symptoms of depression, whiplash and neck pain.
Northumbria
Police were tipped off about the savoury smells and activities coming from Mrs
Tabram’s bungalow and twice raided her house, in May and June last year. They
seized 8.5oz (242g) of "skunk" cannabis - the most powerful variety -
with a street value of £854 and she was charged with possession with intent to
supply.
Mrs
Tabram admitted the offence and in April Judge David Hodson, the Recorder of
Newcastle, jailed the former chef for six months, suspended for two years. He
also told her to pay £750 costs and ordered the destruction of the cannabis
police seized from her home.