Pubdate: Wed, 07 Mar 2007
Source: Peterborough Evening Telegraph (UK)
Copyright: 2007 Johnston Press
Contact: http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/contactus.aspx
Website: http://www.peterboroughet.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/961
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?207 (Cannabis - United Kingdom)

CANNABIS GRANDMOTHER TO FIGHT ON

A grandmother who "self medicates" with cannabis to ease her
depression has vowed to continue to use the drug in defiance of a
judge's jail warning. Patricia Tabram, 68, walked free from court
despite a jury taking only 15 minutes to convict her of growing and
possessing cannabis, but she was ordered to carry out 250 hours
community service and pay UKP1,000 costs.

It was her second drug conviction after she was given a suspended jail
sentence for supplying cannabis in curries, casseroles and cakes which
she distributed to other elderly and infirm people near her bungalow,
in Humshaugh, Northumberland.

Police and the Crown Prosecution Service backed the decision to take
her to court and she was warned she will be imprisoned if she
continues to flout the law.

But Tabram said: "I am still going to medicate with cannabis. This
court is not fit for purpose and I am taking up an appeal and putting
in a complaint about the fact I was not allowed to have a defence. The
law and justice do not exist in this country any more." Flanked by
well-wishers, said she would continue the fight and was prepared to go
to jail.

Carlisle Crown Court heard she used the drug to fight the depression
she has suffered since 1975 when she discovered her 14-year-old son
dead in his bed. She said that adding cannabis to a cup of hot
chocolate gave her five hours without pain. "Five hours - that is
better than relief you get from morphine," she said.

Judge Barbara Forrester told the grey-haired pensioner she accepted
that Tabram was only growing the drug for her personal use. Tabram
never denied having the drug, but wanted the jury to acquit her
because of her health needs. The judge told the jurors that medical
necessity was no defence. She had been given a six-month jail
sentence, suspended for two years in April 2005.

But only five months later, officers acting on a tip-off raided her home
and found four cannabis plants growing in her wardrobe. The judge said
on Wednesday: "I am satisfied it is not necessary to impose a custodial
sentence, either immediate or suspended."

But she reminded the defendant: "Possession, cultivation or supplying
cannabis, or being concerned with any of those actions, except where
authorised, is a criminal offence which may lead to
imprisonment."

The mother-of-three is a tenant of Milecastle Housing, which said it
has had several meetings with her about breaching her tenancy
agreement. A spokesman for the organisation said a meeting would be
held after the court case to decide whether she should be evicted.
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