MS VICTIM WILL FIGHT CANNABIS CHARGES

A WHEELCHAIR-bound cannabis campaigner has pledged to fight her prosecution
of possessing and supplying cannabis, which she claims alleviates her
crippling multiple sclerosis.

Biz Ivol, 54, from South Ronaldsay in Orkney, a long-time supporter of
legalising cannabis for medicinal purposes, was due to appear in court
yesterday following a police raid last August.

However, the case was continued without plea until 13 August when it was
called at Kirkwall Sheriff Court.

The charges allege she was in possession of cannabis, produced two cannabis
plants and was concerned in the supply of the drug to others.

In a recent television interview, Tony Blair, the Prime Minister, said that
"people will take a sympathetic view" of Ms Ivol's position.

And last week, the Home Secretary, David Blunkett, relaxed the law on
cannabis possession, downgrading the drug from Class B to Class C. The
changes will come into force in July 2003.

However, Ms Ivol said that far from clarifying the law regarding the use of
cannabis for medicinal purposes, Mr Blunkett's statement had further
confused matters.

She said: "I don't honestly understand last week's statement. It is as
clear as mud.

"Every MS sufferer I have spoken to says that their doctors have told them
to try it, so why can't the doctors speak out and help us."

Ms Ivol said that the supply charges brought against her relate to
cannabis-laced chocolates which she has allegedly been making and
distributing to fellow sufferers across the UK. If found guilty, she could
face jail.

She claimed that yesterday's continuation of the court case was little more
than a delaying tactic.

Ms Ivol said she intends to plead not guilty and debate what she sees as
the merits of cannabis use at a trial.

She said: "It's been nearly a year to get this to court. I want to plead
not guilty and use the law of necessity which people who use cannabis for
medicinal purposes have used successfully."

The Legalise Cannabis Alliance is backing her stance. Don Barnard, a
spokesman for the group, said yesterday: "I hope this stops immediately. I
don't see the sense of putting Biz through all this stress. She should be
given a medal not criminalised."

Campaigners claim cannabis use can alleviate some of the symptoms of MS,
including pain in the joints and muscles.

Alistair Carmichael, the Liberal Democrat MP for Orkney and Shetland, said:
"Biz and others like her are in an awful position as they tell me the only
relief they get from the pain is by using cannabis.

"They are effectively self-medicating and as Biz has now found out, they
are always liable to prosecution.

"If this goes to trial it will be an opportunity to raise awareness of the
problem."

Earlier this month on the Question Time programme, in response to concerns
raised by Mr Carmichael over Ms Ivol's prosecution, Mr Blair said: "We are
looking at it urgently. We do understand there is a potential distinction
between those that need it for medicinal purposes and those who don't."

A spokesman for the Home Office said: "Clinical trials of cannabis are
licensed by the Home Office and are currently being conducted on the
potential effectiveness of cannabis treating MS, spinal injuries and other
intractable, painful conditions.

"Doctors should not prescribe cannabis until the quality and safety issues
of any medicinal form have been scientifically established."

He added that any future prescribing of cannabis would be subject to the
same stringent licensing procedures imposed on other new drugs. Doctors
would then prescribe pills or an inhaler, rather than resin or grass.

Clinical trials are expected to be completed within the next year. But the
spokesman warned that until it is approved, dealers would now face up to 14
years imprisonment.