Court warning on cannabis for pain
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A man who took part in Government tests using cannabis for pain relief was given a conditional discharge yesterday after he admitted cultivating the drug.
In what was seen as a test case, Andrew Betts, 30, was conditionally discharged for two years but warned by a judge that if he offended again he could face a harsher penalty. Betts pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court to cultivating 45 cannabis plants at his home in Gillingham, Kent. The court heard he suffered from the rare disease familial Mediterranean fever and could legally take large doses of the pain-killing drug morphine.
Penelope Barrett, for the defence, told the court that Betts was not intending to sell the drug, and that by smoking it he could reduce his intake of morphine.Miss Barrett said Betts took part in a study approved by the Home Office in 1994. He was given capsules containing THC, a constituent of cannabis, which reduced his pain.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments