Pubdate: Thu, 28 Mar 2013
Source: Northern Territory News (Australia)
Copyright: 2013 Northern Territory News
Contact:  http://ntnews.news.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/283
Author: Meagan Dillon
Page: 1

SMOKE AND MIRACLES

Drugs a 'Cancer Cure'

A TERRITORY man who believed radiation and chemotherapy treatment 
killed three loved ones started growing cannabis because it was a 
"major benefit" to the immune system and "cured" his mother of cancer.

Michael Bede Dooley, 59, was given a six-month fully suspended jail 
sentence in the NT Supreme Court for cultivating 81 cannabis plants.

The Batchelor service station owner had been growing the crops for up 
to seven months when police raided his property in May last year.

The court was told that Dooley was growing the plants because he 
believed cannabinoids were beneficial to the human immune system and 
could cure his sick mother.

Justice Peter Barr was told his belief stemmed from the loss of his 
wife, grandmother and friend who were all undergoing radiation or 
chemotherapy when they died.

His wife died at 22, leaving the then 26- year-old with three 
children - aged one, two and four-in 1978.

Justice Barr said: "You use cannabis to treat your own health 
ailments and to treat your mother's cancer. You believe, and I accept 
that you sincerely believe, that you cured your mother's cancer by 
administering to her cannabinoids."

He said Dooley was not a recreational user but took the drug solely 
for medical purposes.

"This case is a most unusual one," he said.

Justice Barr said Dooley was a well-respected member of the Batchelor 
community and had no previous convictions.
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