They should be given medals (3) - THC4MS

Source: News and Star, Carlisle
Date: December 23 2006
Author: Alun Buffry
Type: Letter

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HOW sad that in this day and age of terror, drug addiction and murder on our streets, a group of such well meaning people as Lezley and Mark Gibson and Marcus Davies have been convicted of conspiracy to supply cannabis in the form of chocolate to people with MS.

On the surface, as far as the law is concerned, of course they were guilty as they did not deny the facts, and when a judge instructs the jury that it is their oath to reach a verdict based only on the evidence, what else would anyone expect?

But is that really what the jury’s oath is about?

For it doesn’t even suggest one cannot reach a not guilty verdict despite the evidence: in fact, if a juror sees that the law is unjust, he or she would be bound to return a not guilty verdict.

If an adult was prosecuted after being caught in possession of a drug confiscated from a youngster with the intention of handing it in or destroying it, it would be a misapplication of law and despite admission of possession, the prosecution should fail in the interests of justice.

So now jurors have been almost forced to convict owing to the word of law, putting aside natural justice.

Yet the law used against these three, the Misuse of Drugs Act was surely intended to reduce harm from drugs use, not to prevent medical benefit from plants.

The “THC4MS (Therapeutic Help from Cannabis for Multiple Sclerosis) Three” as they’ve been called, did only good work, had no victims, and this conviction will lead to great suffering and will do far more harm than good.

Indeed a tragedy.

Alun Buffry
Legalise Cannabis Alliance
Norwich