Cannabis cushion for disability

A Quarter of disabled people who were questioned in a survey are taking
cannabis with their Doctors' approval, a study revealed today.

The survey found 195 of the 200 disabled people questioned believe cannabis
should be legalised.

Almost 70% said they had taken the drug. Of those, 39% were men and 61%
were women.

A quarter said their doctors knew and approved of their using the class B
drug, according to a survey in the journal 'Disability Now'. The people
most likely to use cannabis were those with Multiple Sclerosis or spinal
injuries or diseases according to the study.

One respondent said: "It helps take my mind off the pain, I have less
spasms in my spine and it helps me breath easier. It also helps me relax a
little."

Another said: "Cannabis is essential when everything else has failed,
including physiotherapy, painrelief machines and drugs."

The Journal decided to carry out the survey after the issue of using
cannabis for medicinal purposes was raised at the British Medical
Association annual conference earlier this year.

Editor Mary Wilkinson said: "This is a real issue that needs to be taken
seriously. Our survey found there are a lot of people who use or have used
cannabis."

Earlier this month, Health Secretary Frank Dobson revealed he was
considering making cannabis available on medical grounds for sufferers of
multiple sclerosis. He told a television programme: "I am prepared to look
at cannabis for medicinal purposes."

However, he emphasised that cannabis should not be legalised, because more
people would smoke it and their health would suffer.

A pole carried out on the programme asking whether there should be a Royal
Commission into the drugs issue revealed the majority of people 57%
were in favour.