CANNABIS CAMPAIGN WHY THE LAW IS AN ASS

Eric Mann is a 54yearold grandfather who was forced into early retirement
by crippling rheumatoid arthritis, writes Tarquin Cooper. He has never
before been in trouble with the law, but last week at Swansea Crown Court,
Mr Mann was given a ninemonth prison sentence for growing and using
cannabis to relieve his suffering.

The former oil refinery supervisor, from Pembroke Dock, South Wales,
admitted growing 141 plants in his attic. The judge, who acknowledged that
Mr Mann was of good character, decided that despite the seriousness of the
crime his medical condition meant that the sentence would be suspended. But
Mr Mann wants to take his case to the European Court of Human Rights, and
plans to carry on using cannabis defiantly.

"When I was arrested last February I was held for 27 hours in a police
cell," said Mr Mann. "My wife had to come with pills. I had to take a hot
shower there and she had to rub my hands because I didn't have my medicine
my cannabis. They made me suffer."

Mr Mann was first diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis nine years ago. He
had to stop work two years later.

"Between 199091 I was incapacitated chairbound and I became suicidal.
It was so depressing after a life of working in the oilfields. Conventional
drugs had unacceptable sideeffects. As a last resort I tried cannabis. The
result has been almost miraculous.

Mr Mann went from being almost totally disabled to being able to walk and
pursue a comparatively active life.

"My joints don't swell up anymore. I was registered 97 on a severity scale
of my arthritis in 1991. This year I registered seven."

He believes that the law which prevents his access to the drug that
improves his quality of life contravenes his human rights. "I'm going to
continue using cannabis, but my problem is that I don't want to flout the
law deliberately. What do I do? Get better and breach the law or feel
worse?"