Cancer sufferer guilty of cannabis possession

While the role of cannabis oil in medical treatment has been recognised, and it was partly legalised, the proper channels to obtain it had been proscribed, a court has said. Photo/File

A leukaemia sufferer who has to take seven morphine tablets daily to alleviate pain was convicted of possessing cannabis when he appeared in the Westport District Court today.

John Charles Andrews, 68, admitted charges of possessing cannabis seeds and plants.

His lawyer, Doug Taffs, said Andrews was diagnosed with leukaemia five years ago.

His previous treatment had included a bone marrow transplant but nothing had worked.

Mr Taffs said his client, in desperation, had sought alternatives and found anecdotal and scientific evidence online of the success of cannabis oil in alleviating pain.

He had grown some plants but did not know how to process the oil so had to find someone else to do it for him, Mr Taffs said.

Andrews' situation was still poor and he was scheduled for more surgery next week.

Judge Jane Farish said Andrews posed a difficult situation for the court because of the way he had obtained the cannabis.

While the role of cannabis oil in medical treatment had been recognised, and it was partly legalised, the proper channels to obtain it had been proscribed, she said.

However, she told Andrews that due to his "dismal situation" the court could be merciful.

Judge Farish said the court would normally impose a deterrent sentence. However, she was ordering Andrews to reappear for sentencing if called upon within six months.

Andrews also admitted possessing ammunition without lawful purpose.

Mr Taffs said the ammunition "dated back to a Vickers machine gun in World War I".

Andrew only had it out of curiosity and had no gun to use the bullets, Mr Taffs said.

Judge Farish concurred, declaring she knew "something of ammunition herself".

She convicted Andrews on the charge and ordered the ammunition destroyed.