THREE FACE CHARGES OVER 'CANNA-BIZ' BARS

THREE people are to go on trial today (Monday, 04 December) for
allegedly supplying chocolate bars laced with cannabis to help relieve
the pain of multiple sclerosis sufferers.

Marcus Davies, 36, from St Ives, is charged along with gift shop
manager Mark Gibson, 42, and his wife Lezley, 42, who has MS, both
from Alston, Cumbria.

All three face two charges each of conspiring together to supply
cannabis.

All three deny the charges.

It is alleged they supplied homemade "Canna-Biz" bars by post to
patients with multiple sclerosis, a progressive crippling illness that
can produce intense pain.

Supplying cannabis, even for medicinal purposes, without proper
authority is a criminal offence. They were arrested in February 2005.

The maximum penalty is 14 years in jail for supplying a class C
drug.

The defendants are members of the organisation Therapeutic Help from
Cannabis for Multiple Sclerosis.

The trial, at Carlisle Crown Court, is scheduled to last seven days.