Robert Celt
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A Gippsland grandmother and long-time campaigner for medicinal cannabis says she will plead guilty to drug charges because she wants to take a stand on the issue.
Heather Marie Gladman, 58, was charged with growing and possessing the drug of dependence cannabis, after police raided her Stradbroke home in February.
Police told the Sale Magistrates Court they seized 46 cannabis plants from Ms Gladman's home, some of which were more than a metre-and-a-half tall.
She told police she supplied cannabis to sick children, including a nine-year-old boy with an inoperable brain tumour.
"I've never sold cannabis; I just want to help people," she told the court.
Ms Gladman had previously told the ABC she had also supplied the drug to a man with type 2 diabetes, a woman with lung cancer and "lots of people suffering anxiety and insomnia".
An online petition in support of Ms Gladman calling for an amnesty for users and suppliers of medicinal cannabis has attracted more than 1,000 signatures.
She went on a hunger strike for 18 days as a protest against her charges.
Gladman 'just wanted to tell the truth'
Ms Gladman, who was unrepresented at the hearing, was urged by the magistrate to get a lawyer.
"I just wanted to tell the truth," Ms Gladman said. "And I didn't think I needed a lawyer if I told the truth."
The former nursing student will return to court in May for a plea hearing.
The Victorian Government introduced a bill to State Parliament in December to legalise the cultivation of medicinal cannabis and access to it in exceptional circumstances.
That bill has been amended and is expected to gain bi-partisan support when it goes to the Victorian Upper House next week.
A trial for the cultivation of medicinal cannabis is underway in Victoria and the Government predicted medicinal cannabis in the form of oil or tablet would be available to children suffering severe epilepsy seizures by 2017.
The Federal Government passed legislation to allow the manufacture of suitable medicinal cannabis products in Australia.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Medicinal Cannabis Campaigner Heather Gladman, 58, To Plead Guilty To Drug Charges
Author: Kellie Lazzaro
Contact: ABC
Photo Credit: None found
Website: ABC
Heather Marie Gladman, 58, was charged with growing and possessing the drug of dependence cannabis, after police raided her Stradbroke home in February.
Police told the Sale Magistrates Court they seized 46 cannabis plants from Ms Gladman's home, some of which were more than a metre-and-a-half tall.
She told police she supplied cannabis to sick children, including a nine-year-old boy with an inoperable brain tumour.
"I've never sold cannabis; I just want to help people," she told the court.
Ms Gladman had previously told the ABC she had also supplied the drug to a man with type 2 diabetes, a woman with lung cancer and "lots of people suffering anxiety and insomnia".
An online petition in support of Ms Gladman calling for an amnesty for users and suppliers of medicinal cannabis has attracted more than 1,000 signatures.
She went on a hunger strike for 18 days as a protest against her charges.
Gladman 'just wanted to tell the truth'
Ms Gladman, who was unrepresented at the hearing, was urged by the magistrate to get a lawyer.
"I just wanted to tell the truth," Ms Gladman said. "And I didn't think I needed a lawyer if I told the truth."
The former nursing student will return to court in May for a plea hearing.
The Victorian Government introduced a bill to State Parliament in December to legalise the cultivation of medicinal cannabis and access to it in exceptional circumstances.
That bill has been amended and is expected to gain bi-partisan support when it goes to the Victorian Upper House next week.
A trial for the cultivation of medicinal cannabis is underway in Victoria and the Government predicted medicinal cannabis in the form of oil or tablet would be available to children suffering severe epilepsy seizures by 2017.
The Federal Government passed legislation to allow the manufacture of suitable medicinal cannabis products in Australia.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Medicinal Cannabis Campaigner Heather Gladman, 58, To Plead Guilty To Drug Charges
Author: Kellie Lazzaro
Contact: ABC
Photo Credit: None found
Website: ABC
