Pubdate: Fri, 04 Aug 2000 Date: 08/04/2000 Source: Evening News (UK) Author: Alun Buffry Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n1103/a01.html The Canadian Court of Appeal has recently accepted the therapeutic value of the cannabis plant, ruling that the law banning cannabis is unconstitutional (Evening News, August 1) Despite many thousands of testimonials from people who find cannabis medically beneficial, our own Government has refused to accept their word. There have also been several not guilty verdicts returned by juries accepting the use of cannabis as a medical necessity. Licensed trials using natural cannabinoid extracts on people suffering from MS and spinal injuries are expected to prove beneficial. Cannabis has been classified as a dangerous drug with no therapeutic value, in both the Misuse of Drugs Act and the international treaties. The law is clearly unsound and unjust. The present prohibition of cannabis does nothing to help or protect people. It punishes sick and well, alike. The people who benefit are the illegal dealers and the pharmaceutical industries that produce expensive synthetic alternatives. Alun Buffry, Legalise Cannabis Alliance, PO Box 198 Norwich