Pubdate: Tue, 01 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

MS VICTIM THREATENS SYMPATHY SUICIDE AS CANNABIS TRIAL NEARS END

A MULTIPLE sclerosis sufferer has threatened to kill herself if the 
cannabis campaigner, Biz Ivol, takes her own life after her court case 
tomorrow.

Mrs Ivol, from South Ronaldsay in Orkney, went on trial last month charged 
with cultivating, possessing and supplying the drug which she says has 
helped alleviate the pain of fellow MS sufferers.

She admitted in court she had made cannabis-laced chocolates which were 
sent to people with MS, but said she did not think she was doing anything 
wrong.

Her trial was continued until tomorrow. Mrs Ivol has said she will take an 
overdose of paracetamol and champagne once the case is over because her 
condition has left her with no quality of life.

Now, Valerie Jack, 45, of Bristol, who also suffers from MS, says if Mrs 
Ivol does take her own life, she will follow suit. Her mother, Willys Jack, 
said: "Her only alleviation from pain and spasms is through using cannachoc 
[the name given to the cannabis chocolates].

"She says that if the lady who is going to be prosecuted is found guilty 
and commits suicide as promised, she will do the same.

"She says that life is not worth living without the use of cannabis but she 
doesn't want to smoke it and, anyway, that also is illegal.

"I am not happy about her decision, naturally, but can understand her 
thinking. I hope it never comes to that."

Don Barnard, a spokesman for the Legalise Cannabis Alliance (LCA), said: 
"It is extremely sad that this woman is even thinking about this, but if I 
was in that position I would like to make my own decisions also.

"Although this is the first case I have heard of, I am sure there are a lot 
of very ill people out there who feel the same way. I am very worried that 
the law is forcing people to do this. Politicians should address this 
situation."

The development comes as campaigners for the legalisation of cannabis for 
medicinal use prepare to travel to Orkney to support Mrs Ivol at her trial.

Individuals and organisations are pooling resources to make the long 
journey, which started from Nuneaton last night.

A support petition drawn up by the LCA has already been signed by more than 
1,000 people, including four MPs, one MEP, a QC, several doctors and two 
councillors - a Liberal Democrat and a Conservative.

Clara O'Donnell, of LCA, which is based in Nuneaton, said: "If Biz dies, 
the government will have blood on their hands and, as they already know of 
her plans, they are in effect assisting her suicide."

Mark Gibson, a spokesman for Therapeutic Help for MS sufferers (THC4MS), 
who is also travelling to Orkney, said: "Regardless of race, creed, colour, 
political persuasion or, whether you believe cannabis should or should not 
be legalised, how can anyone fail to support Biz?"

Meanwhile, the campaigners who raised the issue with the Scottish Executive 
have been told the Executive cannot intervene in the court case.

In a letter to the LCA, David Watson, of the substance misuse division, 
said the independence of the Crown as a prosecuting authority is an 
important constitutional principle, and there is no role for the justice 
minister in taking decisions or intervening in local prosecutions.

Mr Watson said there was also no role for the justice minister in the 
arguments concerning legalising or decriminalising cannabis as the relevant 
legislation is reserved to the UK government.
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MAP posted-by: Alex