I WON'T GIVE UP CANNABIS - DISABLED MAN

A DISABLED man convicted of growing cannabis in his flat has said the threat
of jail will not stop him smoking the drug because it eases his chronic back
pain.

Michael Sankey, 56, is now awaiting his next appearance in court after
Norwich magistrates heard how police found 30 cannabis plants in his
one-bedroom flat.

It was the third time he has been caught growing cannabis in the past three
years.

Mr Sankey, of Gentry Place, on the Larkman estate, today said he would never
stop smoking the drug because it provides much-needed relief for his
crippling back pain and sciatica.

The unemployed potter has been unable to work since 1995 because of his
disability. He also suffers from arthritis and is hard of hearing.

Speaking about his condition, he said: "It is totally depressing. At times I
have almost been suicidal because of it. I am not going to get better and I
have made a conscious decision to smoke dope. I do not use it as a
painkiller, but it does allow me to accept my situation better."

Mr Sankey appeared at Norwich Magistrates Court on Tuesday after admitting
the offences on January 24. The court heard the plants were found in a
wardrobe and the airing cupboard. Eighteen of them were described as small
and the biggest were about three feet tall. Fully grown, their maximum
street value was estimated at more than UKP3,000. The police also found
about UKP3 worth of cannabis resin on a table.

Mr Sankey, who was on incapacity benefit and has suffered with the back pain
for 30 years, added: "I expect there is a slight possibility that I could go
to jail, but I am hardly a threat to society. I could understand it if they
caught me dealing it, but it is all for my personal use.

"I will smoke it for the rest of my life. I have learned to live with it and
I have learned to be myself." Mr Sankey has been bailed until he is
sentenced for the offences at Norwich Crown Court.


Pubdate: Sat, 1 Mar 2003
Source: Evening News (UK)
Copyright: 2003 Archant Regional
Contact: EveningNewsLetters@archant.co.uk
Website: http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/