Patient welcomes cannabis trials (From Western Telegraph)

Patient welcomes cannabis trials

PEMBROKESHIRE MAN sent to jail for using cannabis to control his rheumatoid arthritis has welcomed medical trials of the drug.

Eric Mann, of Harbour Way, Pembroke Dock, describes cannabis as a medical wonder drug and cites himself as an example of its medical necessity.

He served a four-month prison term two years ago after a judge refused to accept he needed to smoke the drug to reduce inflammation and to help him sleep at night.

Mr Mann was told to test the pharmaceutical alternatives available legally, but the response from his specialist was as he predicted. He examined me and couldnt believe I had rheumatoid arthritis, said Mr Mann.

Mr Mann points to evidence which suggests that the legal alternatives available to rheumatoid arthritis sufferers do more harm than good because of the side effects they induce.

Cannabis really does save peoples lives, it is a safe medicine that isnt going to kill you, he claims.

GW Pharmaceuticals have been conducting trials of cannabis-based medicines on multiple sclerosis sufferers. Mr Mann hopes the trials will be extended to include people like himself.

Recommendations from an influential committee of MPs could also lead to cannabis being smoked freely in Dutch-style drug cafes. A report by the cross-party Home Affairs Select Committee is to call for a relaxation of the drug laws that would see prosecutions for cannabis possession ended. Mr Mann is hopeful this will be implemented to spare others the ordeal of jail which he endured.

When a substance is obviously so beneficial to improving health it just doesnt make sense to brand those who use it as criminals, he said.