WHY DIDN'T POLICE GET ME LOCKED UP?

When Colin Ferry published a book about the joys of using cannabis
he expected it to land him in jail.

The father-of-three was so certain he was going to be put behind bars
he even turned himself in to police explaining how he had been growing
the drug for 13 years.

But to his surprise, Colin only received a caution and has now written
letters to both the Queen and Prime Minister Tony Blair to sing the
praises of the drug, which has transformed his life.

Colin, 42, of Hollings Crescent, High Farm, Wallsend, Newcastle, began
using cannabis as pain relief after suffering a back injury due to
power lifting.

But he soon developed a passion for the plant and dedicated his life
to studying its therapeutic benefits.

He became an anonymous cult figure on the internet known as only The
Cannabis Man, but recently revealed his true identity after he
self-published a book of the same name confessing to his 13 years of
cultivating the plant.

Colin said: "I first tried cannabis to help with a back injury, but
soon started growing it myself and researching the history of this
fascinating plant.

"I discovered it had a host of therapeutic benefits including pain and
stress relief, healing and weight-loss. It's not a wonder drug, but it
can really help.

"This is why I've written to Tony Blair and the Queen. If the NHS were
allowed to prescribe cannabis it could transform this country.

"I want to be allowed to openly study cannabis to unlock its
potential. This is what I'm fighting for.

"There is a negative stigma attached to cannabis, because of drug
abuse and crime. But I'm completely against drug abuse and dealing of
any kind having seen it first hand while working as a doorman
throughout the North-East.

"I don't abuse cannabis and I don't sell it. I've not made a penny out
of cannabis since I started growing it. I do it because I love it, not
to make money.

"I've stood up and revealed my identity because I want to change
society's attitude to cannabis."

Colin is married to Leah, 42, and they have three children, Colin, 17,
Michael, 16, and Craig, 15.

A Northumbria Police spokeswoman yesterday confirmed Colin had been
arrested and charged after turning himself in. She said: "In June, a
42-year-old man produced himself at North Shields Police Station where
he was arrested for producing cannabis plants and resin. He was
charged and accepted a caution."

Costly Equipment Key to Crop

Criminal gangs are becoming more sophisticated in cultivating massive
cannabis factories, a leading police officer said yesterday.

Detective Inspector Chris Sharman, Northumbria Police's drug
co-ordinator, made the claim after a number of high profile raids on
cannabis farms in the region in the last few months. The raids have
revealed a trend towards the use of specialist hydroponic equipment
worth thousands of pounds.

Northumbria Police have uncovered the farms as part of national
operation Keymer, focusing on properties being used to produce large
quantities of 'skunk' - a potent form of cannabis.

At the moment there are no laws governing the sale of the specialist
equipment needed - more commonly used in the mass production of
vegetables in greenhouses.

However, Mr Sharman said the new breed of cannabis farms could warrant
an investigation into the sale of the equipment and suggested that
possible measures need to be introduced to curb its use.

He said: "As a result of intelligence-led operations we have uncovered
a number of large scale cannabis factories.

"The electrical equipment used helps circulate the heat and keep the
rooms ventilated and can cost thousands of pounds.

"This seems to be an emerging trend over the past couple of
months.

"It might be a legal loophole, which needs to be looked at. Maybe the
sale of these items should be subject to a licence in the future."

There have been a number of recent hauls: last week, a farm,
harvesting more than 450 plants worth UKP160,000, was uncovered at a
home in Middle Moor Farm in Netherton Park, near Morpeth.

Another raid uncovered around 50 plants in Hazlewood Avenue, Jesmond,
and last month a group was jailed for a total of 32 years after
cultivating cannabis crops in houses across County Durham.

Grass Them Up, Say Police

As part of a national campaign, police are expected to ask the public
to look out for tell-tale signs of cannabis factories being run from
properties in their neighbourhood.

Detective Inspector Chris Sharman said yesterday these include the
windows of a property being permanently covered, gardening equipment
left outside or a pungent smell emanating from inside.
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