| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Echo
Cannabis Sacrament Minister
Joined: 14 Apr 2003
Posts: 1899
Location: England
|
 Posted: Sat Aug 28, 2004 8:48 pm Post subject: Cannabis and eczema |
 |
|
Source: Eastern Daily Press, UK
| Quote: |
A man who grew his own cannabis was given a conditional discharge by magistrates after they accepted he was smoking it to relieve the symptoms of his severe eczema.
Ian Howarth, 25, of Falkland Close, Hellesdon, near Norwich, admitted growing cannabis, driving off without paying for £15 worth of petrol and stealing two packs of ointment from Asda.
After the case, a Norfolk doctor leading clinical trials into the use of
cannabis in the treatment of ailments said thousands more people suffering pain and discomfort could be helped but for the stigma of taking the drug.
Dr William Notcutt, who spearheaded Britain's first clinical trial of the drug
at the James Paget Hospital, Gorleston, said cannabis or its derivatives could help people with conditions like eczema.
"We know some cannabis derivatives have an effect on pain in rheumatoid arthritis," he said. "It doesn't surprise me that someone is using cannabis in this way."
Passing sentence at Norwich Magistrates' Court, deputy district judge Irena Ray-Crosby told Howarth: "I totally accept the reasons for cultivating cannabis. It was not done for fun. This is totally because of your exceptional circumstances. You are obviously suffering."
Prosecutor Ben Brighouse said Howarth went to the Wayside service station in Dereham Road, Costessey. He put £15 worth of petrol into his Nissan Micra car but left the garage without paying for it.
Howarth was traced through his car, and when police went to his home they noticed the powerful odour of cannabis.
The found cannabis leaves and also plants being grown under
temperature-controlled conditions. There was a total of 17 plants, 10 of them just seedlings.
Mr Brighouse said the estimated value of the leaves and plants was about £800.
Anna Farquharson, for Howarth, said he was on sickness benefit because of his acute eczema.
"He tells me smoking cannabis alleviates the itching and very often the pain he suffers from eczema. He is regularly admitted to hospital, so bad is his eczema," she said.
Dr Notcutt has expressed his frustration that the Department of Health had not yet agreed to make cannabis available as a painkiller on the NHS.
|
_________________
| Tom Petty wrote: |
Well I know what’s right, I got just one life
In a world that keeps on pushin’ me around
But I’ll stand my ground and I won’t back down
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
|
Public Forum
Members only forum
Members Group
| 
