Pubdate: Sun, 29 Mar 2015
Source: Mail on Sunday, The (UK)
Copyright: 2015 Associated Newspapers Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/255
Author: Kirsten Johnson
Page: 47

FORMER NATIONALIST TAKES DRUGS ON A DAILY BASIS

YVONNE MacLean left the SNP to stand for CISTA in Rutherglen and
Hamilton West.

The 41-year-old single mother admits being a 'criminal' for
'self-medicating' to alleviate depression with cannabis she buys from
a drug dealer.

Miss MacLean, of Hamilton, Lanarkshire, believes legalising the Class
B drug would be 'good for the environment, the economy and the
community'. She said: 'I don't think people should be criminalised for
their choices. They should be trusted to use drugs sensibly and
addicts should be helped. People can get addicted to coffee,
cigarettes and alcohol if they have that type of personality.

'I have self-medicated with cannabis for depression since my 20s and
was able to work full-time. I take it every day. It relaxes me and
takes the edge off my anxiety. Yes, I am a criminal for
self-medicating. I have to go to a drug dealer, which is not pleasant.

'How can you make a plant illegal, yet ply people full of
pharmaceutical drugs? It's a safe plant and I don't drink alcohol or
smoke cigarettes.'

Miss MacLean believes the SNP's drugs policy is not
'progressive'.

Other CISTA candidates include Chris MacKenzie of the Glasgow Cannabis
Social Club in Glasgow North-East and Ronald Rae of the Edinburgh
Cannabis Social Club in Edinburgh South-West.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt