LIFE NOT WORTH LIVING WITHOUT CANNABIS, MS MAN TELLS JURY

A mutliple sclerosis sufferer charged with possession of cannabis told a
jury that his life wasn't worth living without the drug.

Paul Roddy told a court he was not a dealer and only used the drug because
it helped to ease the crippling pain caused by his condition.

He appeared before Manchester Crown Court for trial before a jury yesterday
charged with drugs possession.

Roddy broke down as he told the jury how MS had devastated his life.

He said the symptoms included severe leg spasms at night, slurred speech,
giddiness, and impotence.

But he hold the court that since he started smoking cannabis his condition
had improved 100 per cent and he did not suffer any side effects. He said:
"I use cannabis to live, not to laugh. When I didn't have cannabis it was
the worst time of my life".

Police who arrested the 41-year-old found the small amount of cannabis in
his left sock when they searched his clothing at Chadderton police station.

Roddy, of Ethel Avenue, Blackley, Manchester, pleased not guilty to a
single charge of possessing cannabis last May.

June Morris, prosecuting, said Roddy admitted possession "but he pleaded
not guilty on the grounds of necessity".

But Miss Morris alleged the drug was for recreational use and not pain relief.

When arrested, Roddy admitted paying 15 pounds for the cannabis but
explained it was for his personal use.

Roddy told the police the drug helped relieve his MS symptoms.

"I'm going to have to take it all the time or life isn't worth living", he
told officers.

The court heard that Roddy was diagnosed with MS in 1998, although the
defendant believes his illness started in about 1990.

Proceeding.