Pubdate: Wed, 26 Jan 2005
Source: Evening Chronicle (UK)
Contact:  http://icnewcastle.icnetwork.co.uk/eveningchronicle/
Author: Simon Armstrong, The Evening Chronicle
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?207 (Cannabis - United Kingdom)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

LIFE IN THE SLEEPY VILLAGE WHERE CANNABIS-FAN GRAN ENJOYS THE GREEN, GREEN
GRASS OF HOME

Neighbours of cannabis gran Patricia Tabram have expressed surprise at
the attention her choice of cooking ingredient has brought to their
sleepy Northumberland village.

As the Chronicle exclusively reported yesterday the 66-year-old is
facing jail after she admitting making cannabis cakes to relieve the
pain of multiple sclerosis.

In a police interview she admitted she clubbed together with others in
a group of elderly people to get cannabis for various medicinal reasons.

Her activities have brought the remote location of Humshaugh into the
spotlight as the picturesque hamlet became the subject of a police
investigation.

But Mrs Tabram has been boosted by the support she has received from
villagers who are sympathetic to her plight.

With attractive stone houses lining the winding road, Humshaugh boasts
few amenities to speak of.

A combined post office and shop, the Crown Inn and a church nestle
alongside a school, doctor's surgery and village hall.

Fewer people still were venturing outside into the cold weather
yesterday, but those who did said they were amazed that one of their
residents had been charged with dealing drugs.

The Rev Michael Thompson from St Peter's Church points out that few
startling events take place in Humshaugh.

He said: "It's a small village. I've been living here eight years and
nothing much happens, to be honest.

"It's a friendly place and fairly tight-knit, I suppose. I wouldn't
like to comment on the court case, though, as I don't know anything
about it."

It is an opinion shared by the many other villagers as well, as one
after another declines to speak out on the record about recent events.

However, many are surprised by the fuss that has been made of the
former restaurant owner's drug use.

One middle-aged woman, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "I don't
think in this day and age using a bit of cannabis is such an offence.
I can see why someone would take it if it acts as pain relief.

"Humshaugh isn't a place where there's much trouble and you rarely see
a police car."

Divorcee Mrs Tabram says she received widespread support once news of
her arrest became public knowledge.

Officers seized 31 cannabis seedlings from the attic of her small
bungalow with a street value of UKP 850 and she admitted supplying
cannabis to friends who also wanted it for medicinal reasons.

She claims it worked wonders for her MS as well as whiplash injuries
that followed a car crash. She also suffers pain from a back injury
and arthritic knees.

One friend said: "I absolutely back what she was doing.

"I think cannabis should be legalised for medicinal
purposes.

"Although it's illegal, I don't think in this day and age it's the
most serious thing to be guilty of using.

"I think the police have been heavy-handed. There are other criminal
offences which should be their priority.

"It's not like she was standing on the street, pushing drugs to kids.
She was very responsible in the way she used it."

Another friend echoed such sentiments.

He said: "How can a 66-year-old woman be classed as a drug dealer?
It's ridiculous. Being arrested and taken to court is a bit much.
There's no way it should have gone that far."

Mrs Tabram is due to be sentenced on March 11 after pleading guilty at
Newcastle Crown Court last month to possession of cannabis with intent
to supply.

Drug is put to variety of uses

The medical uses of cannabis are widely claimed and the drug has been
used as a cure for a variety of ailments.

Even Queen Victoria was thought to have smoked cannabis to relieve her
PMT.

Cannabis has been used medicinally for over 2000 years but in 1971 it
was reclassified as a schedule one drug, meaning it is now regarded as
having no medical value.

Medical uses in the past include relief of pain, cramps, nausea, fits
and also stimulating appetite in AIDS patients.

MS patients report dramatic improvement in symptoms following cannabis
use and clinical trials have shown symptoms such as pain, ataxia,
spasticity and tremor can be dramatically improved.

A synthetic capsule is available by prescription, but it is not
thought to be as effective as smoked cannabis.

Cannabis is not a physically addictive drug and none of the medical
tests currently used to detect brain damage in humans have found harm
from marijuana.
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