Pubdate: Fri, 02 Jun 2006 Source: Lancashire Evening Post (UK) Website: http://www.prestontoday.net Feedback: http://www.prestontoday.net/contactus.asp Address: Oliver's Place, Fulwood, Preston, PR2 9ZA Fax: 01772 798549 Copyright: 2006, Johnston Press New Media Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?207 (Cannabis - United Kingdom) "I GREW CANNABIS TO EASE MY PAIN" A BLACKBURN man trying to alleviate back pain, following an industrial accident, resorted to growing cannabis, a court was told. A court heard how Anthony Aspinall, 51, found buying the drug costly. He then obtained some cannabis plants, which were seized when police searched his home in Gloucester Road. A judge at Preston Crown Court gave him a two-year conditional discharge after he admitted an offence of cultivating cannabis. Miss Amy Nicholson, prosecuting, said police found ten large mature cannabis plants being grown at the address, with the use of a hydroponic system. Miss Judith McCullough, defending, said the drug cultivation had been an "amateur production". A serious industrial accident 11 years ago had caused a chipped vertebrae in his spine. Aspinall received hospital treatment, but the condition grew steadily worse, she said. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman