Pubdate: Wed, 16 Jul 2003
Source: Scotsman (UK)
Copyright: The Scotsman Publications Ltd 2003
Contact:  http://www.scotsman.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/406
Author: John Ross
Cited:  Legalise Cannabis Alliance  http://www.lca-uk.org
Link:  http://www.ccguide.org.uk/bizivol.html    (Biz Ivol)
Bookmark http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/people/Biz+Ivol  (Biz Ivol)

CANNABIS CAMPAIGN HIGHLIGHTS MS VICTIM

CANNABIS campaigners from across the UK are planning a protest at 
Westminster today to highlight the plight of Orkney multiple sclerosis 
sufferer Biz Ivol who uses the drug to ease her pain.

The event follows a small demonstration held in Parliament Square, London, 
last week to oppose prosecutions of people who use cannabis for medical 
reasons. Campaigners unveiled a banner proclaiming "Biz Ivol - Herbal 
Suffragette".

Last month Mrs Ivol, 55, from Herston, South Ronaldsay, went on trial 
facing charges of cultivating, possessing and supplying cannabis.

She admitted sending out cannabis-laced chocolates to fellow MS sufferers 
but pleaded not guilty to supplying the drug on the grounds that she 
believed she was doing nothing wrong. The case was dropped because of her 
deteriorating medical condition.

Mrs Ivol subsequently attempted suicide by taking an overdose but has since 
been released from hospital.

The Legalise Cannabis Alliance (LCA) said today's protest will call for an 
explanation for Mrs Ivol's prosecution and why medical cannabis users are 
taken to court.

Don Barnard, a spokesman for the LCA. said: "I fully support the protest. I 
am fed up with politicians failing to address these issues, 
reclassification will do nothing to help these unfortunate sick people."

An ongoing petition on the LCA website calling for the Scottish ministers 
to justify the prosecution of Mrs Ivol has been signed by 1,232 people, 
including five MPs, one lord and one MEP.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom