I FELT the judge gave the jury no option but to find the three guilty. Advised as they were that they must disregard the fact that the cannabis chocolate was being given, without charge, to MS sufferers, the jury could hardly be said to have been given free will in their verdict. In my view asking the jury to disregard undisputed facts because politicians don't like those facts is an utter travesty of law. I would like to hear the opinion of one of the jurors as to whether they felt pressured into the conviction or whether they truly believe the actions of THC4MS were a crime. Rev Paul Farnhill Chapel Lane Stretford [end]
Customs officials deny they will be "soft" on cannabis smugglers, despite a shift in national policy. East Anglia's anti-drug smuggling teams have been told to dedicate more resources and intelligence work to Class A drugs, particularly heroin, even though cannabis accounts for the vast majority of drug seizures and possession cases. Figures for 1998, published by the Home Office last month, showed that cannabis accounted for three-quarters of the 149,000 drug seizures. The customs policy shift mirrors the approach of Whitehall's drugs "tsar" Keith Hellawell, who wants to concentrate on Class A drugs and the effect they have on other crimes. [continues 126 words]
People with illnesses like multiple sclerosis and arthritis are enduring additional suffering because the law prevents them from growing and using cannabis, a weekend conference in Norwich was told. The first conference of the Legalise Cannabis Alliance called for people to stand at elections across the country this year. Nominating Officer Alun Buffry said: "People are suffering from everything from MS to awful pains and cannot legally grow a plant and use it for medication." At the conference in Wensum Lodge, Steven Pank said: "Cannabis has to be considered as separate from other so-called dangerous drugs which the Misuse of drugs Act was introduced to deal with." [end]
