3 convicted on compassion marijuana choco bars

Three people have each been given a nine-month suspended jail term for supplying cannabis-laced chocolate bars to multiple sclerosis (MS) sufferers.

Mark Gibson, his wife Lezley, both 42, of Alston, Cumbria and Marcus Davies, 36, of St Ives, Cambs, were earlier convicted of conspiracy to supply.

The couple admitted making thousands of "Canna-Biz" bars and sending them to MS sufferers around the world.

Davies admitted running an associated website and post office box.

In their testimonies, the Cumbrian couple insisted they offered a free service funded by voluntary donations, which was only available to MS sufferers who provided a medical note confirming their condition.

Davies had denied any involvement in making or posting the chocolate.

A 36-year-old man in a wheelchair who suffers from multiple sclerosis told a jury that cannabis chocolate had been helpful in alleviating pain.

Wayne Miller was giving evidence at the trial of Marcus Davies, 38, from St Ives, Mark Gibson, 42, and his wife Lezley, also 42, both from Alston in Cumbria.

All three have pleaded not guilty to two counts of conspiring to supply cannabis in 2004 and 2005.

Mr Miller told Carlisle Crown Court he was diagnosed with MS 45 years ago and suffered particular problems with walking. He first learned about the Canna-Biz bars through the MS Society's Pathways magazine. [sic]

Dear Friends,


It is with great sadness that I inform you that our great friend and campaigner Biz Ivol, of The Orkney Isles has passed away.


Biz suffered from MS and had caught a chest infection, she had wanted to "escape" for some time, so refused any medication and died peacefully at home at 11pm last night.


Biz was the lady who first made Cannabis Chocolate for fellow MS patients, her efforts created THC4MS and later herself and others campaigned for the law to change, the reclassification back in January this year was down to Biz and others relentless campaign to allow cannabis as a medicine.


Last year myself and members of THC4MS and the LCA made the long journey to support Biz at trial for using cannabis as a medicine, back them she had made the decision to commit suicide if the case did not fall in her favour, and hours before we arrived in Orkney, Biz was told her trial was dropped. She attempted but failed to commit suicide, and made a promise to us that she wouldn't attempt to do it again.


Since we met Biz myself and others have enjoyed many a conversation with her, we know she had good friends and neighbours looking out for her, and she didn't have to worry where her next smoke would come from, although close to the end Biz was only out of bed for a few hours a day, she was comforted by regular visitors, phone calls, and of course plenty of pre rolled joints (her favourite medication!)


The thing Biz said she would miss the most would be her beautiful garden, and her cat Willy, she wasn’t scared of dying, and had already arranged a natural funeral.


I know Biz would have wanted Cannabis to be legal for all, it was one of the last public speeches she made, for the LCA Conference in Norwich 2003. (Anyone who would like to listen to Biz' speech can find it on the front page of the LCA website)