ARTHRITIS SUFFERER GREW CANNABIS

AN arthritis sufferer who grew cannabis in the attic of her home
for "medicinal purposes" has appeared in court.

Mandy Towler, 41, of Barnwell Road, Melksham pleaded guilty to
cultivating cannabis, when she appeared at Chippenham magistrates'
court on Thursday morning.

Prosecutor Kate Blackmore told the court how police had seized 14
cannabis plants and a hydroponics system used to cultivate the plants,
when they carried out a dawn raid on her home in January.

Officers from the Divisional Proactive Unit based in Melksham
conducted the operation after receiving a tip-off.

A quantity of white powder was also found at the scene, but was later
discovered to be glucose powder.

In a police interview Towler said she had been diagnosed with
rheumatoid arthritis and was growing the cannabis for medicinal purposes.

In her defence, Towler told police that instead of smoking the drug,
she used it in her tea to help alleviate the pain caused by her condition.

She said it was cheaper to grow the plants herself, rather than having
to buy them from a dealer.

Defending, Michael Wills, said his client was on disability benefits
and income support.

The court heard that Towler, who has to go to Bath Royal United
Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases every three months for treatment, has
an 18 year-old daughter as well as caring for her father who is 78.

Jane Tadman, spokesman for Arthritis Research Campaign, said sufferers
were forced to try other options of pain relief, away from
conventional medicine.

She said: "The problem is that there aren't many drugs that have much
of a benefit, in terms of pain relief, without having side effects.
There are a lot of painkillers on the market but often they don't help
if the pain is severe.

"It is understandable that people try other options. We feel that
whatever helps people and isn't harmful is okay by us really. People
should be allowed to use the drug to alleviate their pain."

Magistrates requested a probation service report following their
concerns over a disabled person's ability to access the loft, the
amount of cannabis discovered and the fact that a teenager also lives
in the house.

Towler, who was released on unconditional bail, is due to return to
court on Wednesday, May 2 for sentencing.