MS PATIENT WHO FOUGHT FOR RIGHT TO USE CANNABIS DIES

BIZ Ivol, the multiple sclerosis patient who campaigned for the use of
cannabis for medicinal purposes, has died at her home in Orkney.

Mrs Ivol, 56, who lived in South Ronaldsay, was confined to a
wheelchair because of the crippling effects of MS. Friends say she
died after a chest infection developed into pneumonia.

Last year, Mrs Ivol attempted suicide after charges against her of
supplying cannabis in specially made chocolates were dropped. She had
gone on trial at Kirkwall Sheriff Court in June 2003 on charges of
cultivating, possessing and supplying the drug.

She waited two years for the trial to start and, despite failing
health, attended court to give evidence. She admitted sending out
cannabis-laced chocolates to fellow MS sufferers, but pleaded not
guilty to supplying the drug on the grounds that she believed she was
doing nothing wrong.

The Crown Office dropped the case due to her deteriorating condition.