MAN 'SET UP DRUG CO-OP'

A man who uses cannabis to relieve pain from a spinal injury set up a
cooperative to supply the drug to others in need, a jury heard yesterday.

Howard Baisden, prosecuting, told Manchester crown court that Colin Davies,
42, had grown 12 cannabis plants at his flat in Stockport, Greater Manchester.

Davies told police he believed it was wrong to deny the use of cannabis to
people who were suffering. Davies admits taking the drug but denies
cultivating it last year with intent to supply. He also pleads not guilty
to charges of possessing and supplying the cannabis.

Mr Baisden said that Davies had acquired a Post Office box number through
which he intended to supply others.

"The prosecution say simply this: it is the law in this country now that
unless you have special dispensation from the home secretary it is illegal
to cultivate cannabis, it is illegal to supply people with it and it is
illegal to possess it."

Davies had told police he grew the plants so he did not have to take the
maximum dose of painkillers following a collarbone and back injury he
suffered in 1994.

A forensic scientist had calculated that the plants in Davies's bedroom
would have yielded 184 grammes of cannabis.

Davies told police he had supplied the drug to one person in Edinburgh who
suffered from multiple sclerosis and had received a cheque for pounds 10.
"Had this crop come to fruition it would have been supplied to others in
the same way," said Mr Baisden.

The trial continues today.