Pubdate: Thu, 19 Jun 2003
Source: Daily Telegraph (UK)
Copyright: 2003 Telegraph Group Limited
Contact:  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/114
Author: Tom Peterkin

MS WOMAN DENIES SELLING CHOCOLATE LACED WITH DRUG

A multiple sclerosis victim accused of supplying cannabis posted chocolates 
laced with the drug to a fellow sufferer, a court heard yesterday.

Elizabeth Ivol, from Orkney, was contacted by the husband of an MS sufferer 
after he learned through a newspaper article that she had developed a 
technique for blending cannabis with chocolate.

John Murray contacted Ivol, 55, of South Ronaldsay, in an attempt to 
improve his wife Eileen's condition.

At Kirkwall Sheriff Court yesterday Ivol denied one charge of possession of 
cannabis, one charge of supplying cannabis and one charge of cultivating 
the drug.

Mr Murray said he had thought about obtaining cannabis for some time but 
lacked contacts. But after reading a newspaper article featuring Ivol, he 
contacted her and she sent him cannabis chocolates in the post.

Describing his wife's illness, he said she had been losing the use of her 
legs and was able, on a good day, to walk only a short distance.

He said: "She has become quite dependent on my presence. As a result of 
reading the article, I became aware that Mrs Ivol had found a method for 
combining cannabis with chocolate. I understand it relieves the pain and 
symptoms."

Mr Murray's home in Dalgety Bay, Fife, was later visited by police, who 
removed the cannabis chocolate before he had a chance to give any to his wife.

Pc Michael Don, of Northern Constabulary, told the court that he obtained a 
search warrant to go to Ivol's home on August 6, 2001, following media 
attention.

Tobacco, some rolled cigarettes and several recorded delivery slips were found.

Also found at her home was a letter written by someone who had requested a 
supply of her "special Belgian chocolates".

Mr Don told the court that when he interviewed Ivol, she told him: "I send 
out information packs first and they usually contact me again if they 
wanted to try the chocolate. I then send out a package of chocolates with 
nothing indicating where it has come from."

The trial, before Sheriff Colin Scott Mackenzie, continues.
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