Pubdate: Sat, 09 Apr 2005
Source: Edinburgh Evening News (UK)
Copyright: 2005 The Scotsman Publications Ltd
Contact:  http://www.edinburghnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1626
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?207 (Cannabis - United Kingdom)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?232 (Chronic Pain)

GRANNY'S CANNABIS COOKERY A RECIPE FOR A SUSPENDED SENTENCE

A CANNABIS-EATING granny was given a six month suspended jail sentence
after admitting possessing the drug with intent to supply.

Former Edinburgh restaurant owner Patricia Tabram, 66, ran a cookery
club for her elderly neighbours and put the cannabis into recipes for
medicinal purposes.

She has since become the public face of the campaign to legalise
cannabis, appearing on chat shows such as Richard and Judy and intends
standing at the forthcoming General Election.

But at Newcastle Crown Court yesterday she pleaded guilty to having
242 grammes of high quality cannabis at her home at Humshaugh, near
Hexham, Northumberland in December.

When police raided the house they found more than 30 cannabis plants
at her home worth A#850.

Passing the suspended jail sentence, which will last
for two years, Judge David Hodson told Tabram: "Ever
since you pleaded guilty you have been active in your
campaign and you have attempted to persuade the court
to make a martyr of you. I will not do that."

Tabram has admitted eating marijuana five times a day by putting the
drug into dishes such as casseroles, soups and chocolate cake.

She says it helps ease the pain in her neck and back which she
suffered following a road accident.

The cookery club involved elderly neighbours and the cannabis was
included to help ease the pain they were suffering.

Tabram also says she has been suffering from bouts of depression since
her 14-year-old son Duncan was found dead in bed in 1975 at the
restaurant called the Zodiac Centre she used to run with her former
husband in Leith.
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MAP posted-by: Derek