CHARLES: WHY DON'T YOU TRY CANNABIS?

His Shock Advice To MS Girl At Care Home

Prince Charles caused amazement yesterday by telling a multiple sclerosis
sufferer she should try smoking cannabis.

The Prince stunned wheelchair-bound Karen Drake when he asked if she had
used the illegal drug.

He said: "Have you tried taking cannabis? I have heard it's the best thing
for it."

Shocked Karen said later: "I was surprised, but I think I would like to at
least try it."

Charles made the controversial remark on a visit to a day centre for
victims in Cheltenham, Gloucs.

His backing for the drug puts further pressure on the Government to
legalise it for medical use.

Many MS victims take cannabis because they find normal remedies do not
work. But they face prosecution if they are caught. Sufferers received new
hope recently when a House of Lords committee called for trials into the
medical merits of the drug.

Many experts would like to see it prescribed by hospitals on a
named-patient basis.

Last night charity chiefs and medics backed the Prince.

Rosemary Leonard, The Sun's doctor said: "This shows how well-informed he is."

Spasms

"MS sufferers have found cannabis helpful in relieving symptoms like
incontinence and spasms, which can be painful.

"It is being used by a significant number of MS sufferers. But there are
concerns about the quality of cannabis some people are using.

"What is desperately needed on this is proper clinical trials."

A spokesman for the prince said: "He is aware of the issue of the use of
cannabis for MS sufferers. He is very interested in health. It is one of
his major portfolios."

Karemn, a divorced mum from Cheltenham, developed MS ten years ago. She got
Charles to sign one of her paintings as they chatted at a Sue Ryder home on
Sunday.

Karen added:" He is a lovely man. He is really caring."

Day centre leader Pam Neilens added: "The Prince makes everyone laugh and
he makes all the patients happy."

Charles is not the first Royal to back the use of cannabis for pain relief.
Queen Victoria used it to ease period pains.

Checked-by: Richard Lake