FUELLING THE CANNABIS DEBATE

It is an issue which has polarised opinion across the country - from
police to politicians, medical experts to the judiciary and people
from all walks of life. But now musician Stuart Wyatt has brought the
great debate about the use of cannabis to relieve painful medical
conditions into sharp focus in Plymouth.

Mr Wyatt, who says he suffers crippling pain from an as-yet
undiagnosed condition, says smoking marijuana makes him feel better.
In a move which will apal some people but encourage others, he is
challenging city police to arrest him.

His comments came as a court in Carlisle handed suspended jail terms
to three activists who supplied cannabis to Multiple Sclerosis
sufferers to provide pain relief. Certainly, there is a growing
belief in some quarters that the drug should be legalised for
medicinal purposes.

Indeed Derriford Hospital played a key role in the first national
study into the use of cannabis to relieve MS symptoms. Those against
the use of the drug ill point to research indicating that it can
bring on depression and schizophrenia in some cases.

But many people suffering debilitating pain will understandably want
to try anything which can bring relief - whatever the risks. It is an
interesting debate with no right or wrong answers. But as Mr Wyatt's
stance shows, it is not something that will go away quietly."