CHARLES JOINS CANNABIS DEBATE

THE debate on the legalisation of cannabis was reignited yesterday when it
was claimed that the Prince of Wales had told a multiple sclerosis sufferer
he had heard it was the "best thing" for the disease.

The prince's surprising intervention was welcomed by campaigners who have
called for the drug to be made available on the National Health Service for
the treatment of various medical conditions. However, the prince was accused
of meddling by critics who advocate a "zero tolerance" approach to drugs.

The row erupted after Prince Charles made an annual visit to a day care
centre where he met Karen Drake, 36, who has suffered from multiple
sclerosis for ten years.

Details of the conversation between the two emerged yesterday when Ms Drake
said she was astonished when the prince brought up the illegal use of
cannabis as a form of pain relief by many sufferers.

Ms Drake, a wheelchair-bound divorcee from Cheltenham, said his comments
came out of the blue after they had discussed a mutual interest in painting.
She said: "He asked me about MS and how long I had had it. He asked if I had
taken cannabis. He said he had heard it was the best thing for it. I was
surprised that he asked me about it, but he is a lovely man, he is really
caring."

She added: "I was surprised, but I think I would like to at least try it.
Anything that can help relieve the pain can only be for the good."

Ms Drake spends several hours a week at the Sue Ryder Home, in Cheltenham,
of which Prince Charles is patron. The centre caters for sufferers of cancer
and motor neurone disease as well as multiple sclerosis.

Gillian Rose, the home's appeals co-ordinator, said the prince's visits were
usually informal. She added: "He was talking with one of the ladies in the
day care centre who sufferers from MS. I only presume he mentioned it
because it is a talking point for MS sufferers."

Prince Charles was accompanied on his visit on Tuesday by Lady Ryder, who
set up the Sue Ryder Foundation in 1952. She said she did not overhear the
conversation.

A spokeswoman for the prince later stressed he had not taken a stance on the
medical use of cannabis.

The spokeswoman added: "We are not going to deny that a conversation of this
nature took place but the point is that we was not advocating one way or the
other. He merely asked a question relating to the matter.

"He is not entering the debate but is aware that there is one. Indeed it
would be surprising if someone with the prince's interest in health was not
aware of such a debate."

Cannabis has been used as a painkiller for at least 5,000 years and recent
research, including ground-breaking work by Dr Roger Pertwee of Aberdeen
University, has been used by those who claim it should be available on
prescription.

The House of Lords science and technology committee this year recommended
further research, and last month George Howarth, the Home Office minister
indicated the Government was prepared to license clinical trials.

The Multiple Sclerosis Society has advocated such research and Peter Cardy,
the charity's chief executive, welcomed Prince Charles's intervention. He
said: "The prince is right to say some sufferers who take cannabis find
relief from the unpleasant symptoms. I think the prince's concern just shows
how important it is that this issue gets addressed instead of being swept
under the carpet.

"It is good to have his recognition of not only the disease but how nasty
the effects can be.

"Quite a lot of people with MS do use cannabis because they find
conventional remedies don't work or are not prescribed for some of the nasty
symptoms like spasm and pain.

"People with MS don't choose to become criminals and we think it is sad and
regrettable that when they find something that works for them they have to
deal in the criminal world."

However, Jan Betts, 49, whose daughter Leah died after taking an ecstasy
tablet on her 18th birthday, said: "Prince Charles doesn't know what he's
talking about. How does he know cannabis is the best thing for MS? "

Linda Hendry, the Scottish spokeswoman of the Legalise Cannabis Campaign,
said: "Anything which raises awareness of the issue is welcome. Prince
Charles is a compassionate person."

Checked-by: Don Beck