An Invercargill woman's claim that her doctor authorised her use of cannabis was yesterday thrown out at the Invercargill District Court.
Joy Marie Telke, 53, appeared before Judge Dominic Flatley on charges of possession of cannabis, morphine capsules and two cannabis pipes, following the pre-Christmas bust by the Invercargill Police called Operation Santa.
Telke said she had been given written approval to use cannabis as pain relief. The morphine was used for the same reason, she said. Judge Flatley dismissed any possibility that permission existed. "It is against the law, you cannot possess it, you cannot use it."
Self-medication of that kind was both dangerous and illegal, he said. Telke was sentenced to 180 hours' community work.
A total of 18 people were arrested in Operation Santa, which targeted the peddling of cannabis and *** in the region and wider dealing in classes A, B and C drugs.
News Hawk: MsRedEye: 420 Magazine
Source: The Southland Times
Copyright: 2007 Fairfax New Zealand Limited
Contact: Stuff.co.nz: New Zealand's leading news and information website
Website: Judge rejects medicinal cannabis use defence - Southland Times - Southland Times
Joy Marie Telke, 53, appeared before Judge Dominic Flatley on charges of possession of cannabis, morphine capsules and two cannabis pipes, following the pre-Christmas bust by the Invercargill Police called Operation Santa.
Telke said she had been given written approval to use cannabis as pain relief. The morphine was used for the same reason, she said. Judge Flatley dismissed any possibility that permission existed. "It is against the law, you cannot possess it, you cannot use it."
Self-medication of that kind was both dangerous and illegal, he said. Telke was sentenced to 180 hours' community work.
A total of 18 people were arrested in Operation Santa, which targeted the peddling of cannabis and *** in the region and wider dealing in classes A, B and C drugs.
News Hawk: MsRedEye: 420 Magazine
Source: The Southland Times
Copyright: 2007 Fairfax New Zealand Limited
Contact: Stuff.co.nz: New Zealand's leading news and information website
Website: Judge rejects medicinal cannabis use defence - Southland Times - Southland Times
