Pubdate: Mon, 30 Jun 2003
Source: Evening News (UK)
Copyright: 2003 Archant Regional
Contact:  http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/141
Author:  Alun Buffry
Cited: Legalise Cannabis Alliance  http://www.lca-uk.org
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

WHY PUNISH THE SICK?

So Cromer magistrates have sentenced a 69 year-old pensioner to severe 
cramps in both his legs for a year ("Man, 69, admits growing cannabis", 
Evening News, June 24)

You reported that Bernard Holt, who lost his leg four years ago after an 
operation went wrong, found that cannabis "made the pain go away".   He had 
apparently found the cannabis growing in his greenhouse - well, after all 
it is a weed and the seed is present in birdseed.   But who had this man 
harmed?   How had he threatened society?   Who will come forward as a 
victim for his so-called crimes?   Who will testify against him?

Only those paid to do so by the state, out of the taxpayer's purse!

Surely we don't want to see the courts punishing people for growing a plant 
at home to ease their pain, rather than be a burden on the drug-peddling 
health services?

Can anyone justify this type of prosecution?   What Right did the police 
have to invade his privacy?   Was the prosecution really in the public 
interest?

It's time we rid ourselves of this sort mis-application of the Misuse of 
Drugs Act, for in this case, at least, it was a use, not a misuse at all.

Alun Buffry
Legalise Cannabis Alliance
Norwich
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