Pothead granny spared jail

**aeroplane** · Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2005 8:31 am Post subject: Pothead granny spared jail

8/4/2005 7:21:45 PM ( Source: Reuters)

Pothead granny spared jail

By Lydia Bell

LONDON (Reuters) - A 66-year-old grandmother with a taste for marijuana casserole has been spared jail despite admitting she had shared cannabis-laced cookies with fellow pensioners.

Patricia Tabram from East Lea in Northumberland, who said she uses cannabis to alleviate pains in her neck and back, pleaded guilty to possession of the drug with intent to supply.

But Judge David Hodson said he would not make a "martyr" of her when she returned to Newcastle Crown Court for sentencing on Friday. Instead, she received a six-month suspended prison sentence.

The white-haired, bespectacled granny was unrepentant, and said she would keep cooking with pot.

"I had it this morning in my scrambled eggs and I'll have it again for lunch. I'm not giving it up," she told Channel 4 News.

Tabram has become a symbol for the legalise marijuana campaign. On her website, www.grandma-eats-cannabis.com, she promises soon to provide free recipes, as well as tea towels and mugs for sale.

Last year, the government downgraded cannabis from the same class as cocaine and ecstasy to a lower class of illegal drug, which means police are not expected to arrest people for possessing small amounts but can jail them for supplying it to others.

Police said they raided Tabram's home after a tip-off in May last year and found 31 cannabis plants along with hydroponic cultivation equipment. In a later raid they found 47 bags of "skunk", a particularly strong form of the drug.

The set-up at Tabram's home "bore all the hallmarks of any sophisticated drug dealer", police said in a statement.

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should not be more damaging to the individual
than the drug itself."

US President Jimmy Carter

zero · Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2005 9:47 am Post subject:

I wanna hang out with that old lady, and get stoned off her cooking.

I wish that was my grandma.
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**Mystic Power** · Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2005 11:10 am Post subject:

There are no real stats on the consumption of cannabis by seniors, other than some coming in from the California and British Columbia medical cannabis folks.

The average age of a medical cannabis patient is 54.

AVERAGE.

Means there's a lot of 60 and 70-somethings who have discovered the wonderful geriatric healing qualities of our sacrament.

Bliss,
Ben
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ReverendCaveGrower · Cannabis Sacrament Minister Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Posts: 220

wow have not had a grin on my face this big all day! Thanks for posting that!
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Echo · Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2005 8:30 pm Post subject:

That's what I call "Good News". But I also wonder if her age has influenced the judge deliberation. It definately makes a precedent for the UK future courts, as judges do refer to previous court cases. It's good and pleading guilty she has brought honour to her name. A granny with balls!

Well done Patricia!
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Rev.Holden Greene · Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2005 9:56 pm Post subject:

great that links bad heres a new one

http://www.grandma-eats-cannabis.com/
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**aeroplane** · Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2005 9:29 pm Post subject:

Thank you Rev. H. Greene. When you click that link you get a message staring you in the face saying ""This account has been suspended." Sort of reminds you of how quickly and sickly things can change.
_________________
"Penalties against the possession of a drug
should not be more damaging to the individual
than the drug itself."

US President Jimmy Carter

HvyFuel · Cannabis Sacrament Minister Joined: 20 May 2004 Posts: 291

Have you seen the tv blooper programs that show a tired, frustrated, reporter, swearing 'off air'? Well....

Rev Paul Farnhill, Cannabis Assembly, reporting from Manchester, UK, 2am, on a wet morning, ever so slightly lubricated by two large brandies, disgusted, dismayed, and generally p*ssed off, at so called justice and the media spin put on it.

Shall we have a true tale for a change? OK boys and girls, once upon a time in the 51st state.....

After being postponed at the last moment, Mrs. T appeared before a self opinionated bigot with a wig on. She had pleaded guilty for the simple reason nobody had told her if she pleaded not guilty she would, most likely, have been acquitted. British juries acquit medical users these days and a pensioner would hardly have to make a case. Unfortunately, she listened to lawyers and allowed herself to be placed before the mercy of UK politics.

The case before Mrs. T involved a father who had raped his 11 year old daughter. The 'judge' informed the defendant he could face no more than 12 years imprisonment........ For baking cakes and making casseroles for elderly friends and relatives, who were all receiving very small doses of cannabis for medical reasons, Mrs. T could receive a maximum of 14 years.

After telling Mrs. T she was a self-seeking publicist and could receive 14 years, the 'judge' said he had no intention of making her a martyr for her cause, not 'of the system' as reported. He then ordered her taken to the cells while he went for his lunch. He was not made aware that, instead of being taken to the cells, Mrs.T was taken to the court cafe for a cup of tea by court staff. This 'judge' is reported be one of the most foul ever experienced by a cannabis activist.

This was Mrs T's first cannabis offence. For my first offence I was given six months probation, i.e.. showing up once a fortnight for a chat. Mrs. T is, now, an outspoken activist who has stated she will not stop using cannabis, and is standing as a Legalise Cannabis Alliance candidate in the upcoming election. It is my stated belief that the sentence given Mrs. Tabram was arranged through the offices of ten downing street. It was designed to intimidate Mrs. T into silence, and it has failed. Six months can only be added to a sentence if Mrs. T is convicted of another crime. She won't be pleading guilty again. She's happy to let a jury decide next time.

Yet another point not reported by the majority of the media is that court costs of seven hundred and fifty pounds were awarded against Mrs. T because the 'judge' didn't feel she was repentant. Although she is on a basic state pension Mrs. T offered to pay it off at ten pounds per week, the 'judge' insisted on fifteen. Following a spontaneous auction at the UK cannabis grower's site, uk420, more than the full amount required to pay Mrs. T's costs has been raised and she will not have to find one penny of this herself.

Mrs. T is writing her book, Grandma Eats Cannabis, appearing on tv chat shows, baking delicious cakes, and is standing against, Leader of the Commons, Peter Hain as LCA candidate for Neath, South Wales.

And I want her to adopt me but there's a long queue.
Smile

paul
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Stokes · Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2005 2:39 am Post subject:

I love that lady's spirit.

She should open up a home for 'wayward ministers' who have fallen from grace. imslow

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Where love is, there God is also.

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**Fyrefly1** · Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2005 3:43 am Post subject:

Like me....

Rolling Eyes

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Fyrefly1
"All truth passes through three stages: first it is ridiculed, second it is violently opposed, and third it is accepted as self-evident."
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**Mystic Power** · Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2005 4:03 am Post subject:

Go, Granny..Go, Granny...Go, Granny, Go!!!

(the Beach Boys)

Bliss,
Ben
_________________
"We are the Ones we have been waiting for."
~Hopi Elder ~

"In Lak'ech"
~ Ancient Mayan: "I am another YOU." ~

Stokes · Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2005 4:43 am Post subject:

**Fyrefly1** · Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2005 5:30 am Post subject:

Stokes · Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2005 6:04 am Post subject:

That's cool.

I appreciate your honesty.
_________________
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Where love is, there God is also.

-Mahatma Gandhi

**Fyrefly1** · Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2005 7:08 am Post subject:

Not often easy to quit playin' the dishonesty game but I like to think I'm at least trying!
_________________
Fyrefly1
"All truth passes through three stages: first it is ridiculed, second it is violently opposed, and third it is accepted as self-evident."
Arthur Schopenhauer, 19th Century Philosopher