CANNABIS IN THE CLEAR - MEDICINAL USER IS ACQUITTED

The government came under renewed pressure to soften its opposition to
medicinal use of cannabis, after a jury cleared a man of possessing
the drug with intent to supply, writes VIKRAM DODD.

Colin Davies, 42, was acquitted yesterday at Manchester crown court
after police raided his council flat and found 26 cannabis plants and
equipment to hasten their growth.

Mr Davies was one of the founders of the Medical Marijuana
Cooperative, which grows and supplies the drug to those who find it
alleviates pain, and issues identity cards to members.

The former joiner was said to have started growing the drug after a
fall left him with painful spinal injuries.

He was cleared of cultivating, possessing and supplying the
drug.

The court heard that Mr Davies, of Brinnington, Stockport, started
using cannabis after side-effects from conventional drugs left him
"devastated". There was cheering and applause for the jury's unanimous
verdict.

A motion by the Labour MP Paul Flynn for legalisation of cannabis for
medical use is due to be consid ered in the Commons today. It has the
support of 182 MPs but is expected to be blocked by the government.

A home office spokesman said the government would only consider
changing the law if cannabis preparations went through clinical trials.