CANNABIS GRAN WANTS TO TAKE DRUG INTO HOSPITAL

A SELF-STYLED "cannabis gran" has said she will refuse antibiotics
ahead of her kidney operation, despite warnings from her GP that she
could die.

Patricia Tabram, 70, wants to manage her pain relief with
cannabis-laced food. But bosses at Darlington Memorial Hospital have
said they will notify police if she takes cannabis, in any form, onto
their wards.

"I realise I could die quicker, but at least I will die pain-free,"
she said.

Mrs Tabram, of Tudhoe Moor, Spennymoor, County Durham, began taking
cannabis four years ago to combat back and neck pain.

She was part of a cookery club with more than 100 members who added
the drug to their recipes for "medicinal purposes."

By publicly advocating the use of the drug, she faced eviction from
her former home, in Humshaugh, Northumberland.

She was also ordered to do 250 hours community work by Carlisle Crown
Court in March last year after being convicted of growing and
possessing cannabis.

Mrs Tabram, who said her kidney problems had been caused by
prescription drugs, has written to the Government explaining why she
does not trust NHS medicines.

She has listed what she says are the many side effects associated with
popular drugs prescribed through the NHS.

Now Mrs Tabram is appealing to a barrister to help her take the case
for self medication with cannabis to the European Court of Human Rights.

"There are many countries in Europe and all over the world where you
can apply for a licence to use cannabis for medical purposes," she
said.

"Until the Sixties, there were many cannabis-based drugs available in
this country until they were banned by the Government.

"I want to be able to live a pain-free life until the day I die, but
this country won't allow it."

A spokesman for County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust said
it could not comment on individual cases but would take action if a
patient took drugs into hospital.

He said: "If the trust found a patient to be in possession of an
illegal substance, we would be duty bound to report the incident to
the police."