Pubdate: Mon, 16 Oct 2006 Source: Journal, The (UK) Copyright: 2006 Trinity Mirror Plc. Contact: http://icnewcastle.icnetwork.co.uk/thejournal/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3752 Author: Daniel Thomson Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?207 (Cannabis - United Kingdom) WHY DIDN'T POLICE GET ME LOCKED UP? When Colin Ferry published a book about the joys of using cannabis he expected it to land him in jail. The father-of-three was so certain he was going to be put behind bars he even turned himself in to police explaining how he had been growing the drug for 13 years. But to his surprise, Colin only received a caution and has now written letters to both the Queen and Prime Minister Tony Blair to sing the praises of the drug, which has transformed his life. Colin, 42, of Hollings Crescent, High Farm, Wallsend, Newcastle, began using cannabis as pain relief after suffering a back injury due to power lifting. But he soon developed a passion for the plant and dedicated his life to studying its therapeutic benefits. He became an anonymous cult figure on the internet known as only The Cannabis Man, but recently revealed his true identity after he self-published a book of the same name confessing to his 13 years of cultivating the plant. Colin said: "I first tried cannabis to help with a back injury, but soon started growing it myself and researching the history of this fascinating plant. "I discovered it had a host of therapeutic benefits including pain and stress relief, healing and weight-loss. It's not a wonder drug, but it can really help. "This is why I've written to Tony Blair and the Queen. If the NHS were allowed to prescribe cannabis it could transform this country. "I want to be allowed to openly study cannabis to unlock its potential. This is what I'm fighting for. "There is a negative stigma attached to cannabis, because of drug abuse and crime. But I'm completely against drug abuse and dealing of any kind having seen it first hand while working as a doorman throughout the North-East. "I don't abuse cannabis and I don't sell it. I've not made a penny out of cannabis since I started growing it. I do it because I love it, not to make money. "I've stood up and revealed my identity because I want to change society's attitude to cannabis." Colin is married to Leah, 42, and they have three children, Colin, 17, Michael, 16, and Craig, 15. A Northumbria Police spokeswoman yesterday confirmed Colin had been arrested and charged after turning himself in. She said: "In June, a 42-year-old man produced himself at North Shields Police Station where he was arrested for producing cannabis plants and resin. He was charged and accepted a caution." Costly Equipment Key to Crop Criminal gangs are becoming more sophisticated in cultivating massive cannabis factories, a leading police officer said yesterday. Detective Inspector Chris Sharman, Northumbria Police's drug co-ordinator, made the claim after a number of high profile raids on cannabis farms in the region in the last few months. The raids have revealed a trend towards the use of specialist hydroponic equipment worth thousands of pounds. Northumbria Police have uncovered the farms as part of national operation Keymer, focusing on properties being used to produce large quantities of 'skunk' - a potent form of cannabis. At the moment there are no laws governing the sale of the specialist equipment needed - more commonly used in the mass production of vegetables in greenhouses. However, Mr Sharman said the new breed of cannabis farms could warrant an investigation into the sale of the equipment and suggested that possible measures need to be introduced to curb its use. He said: "As a result of intelligence-led operations we have uncovered a number of large scale cannabis factories. "The electrical equipment used helps circulate the heat and keep the rooms ventilated and can cost thousands of pounds. "This seems to be an emerging trend over the past couple of months. "It might be a legal loophole, which needs to be looked at. Maybe the sale of these items should be subject to a licence in the future." There have been a number of recent hauls: last week, a farm, harvesting more than 450 plants worth UKP160,000, was uncovered at a home in Middle Moor Farm in Netherton Park, near Morpeth. Another raid uncovered around 50 plants in Hazlewood Avenue, Jesmond, and last month a group was jailed for a total of 32 years after cultivating cannabis crops in houses across County Durham. Grass Them Up, Say Police As part of a national campaign, police are expected to ask the public to look out for tell-tale signs of cannabis factories being run from properties in their neighbourhood. Detective Inspector Chris Sharman said yesterday these include the windows of a property being permanently covered, gardening equipment left outside or a pungent smell emanating from inside. http://icnewcastle.icnetwork.co.uk/ - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake