Bud Buddies UK

2005-12-14T15:53:00.000Z

cold again

Prestatyn Magistrates Court

2005-12-05T11:58:00.000Z

Arrived at Prestatyn Magistrates 9.45am

District Judge Shaw had been called in to hear our 'abuse of process' argument

We have not indicated a plea yet as we wish our 'abuse' argument to be heard first

DJ Shaw has listed the case for 11/01/2006 and he will then rule that the abuse argument should be heard in the Crown Court or that the case is within his juridiction and he will hear it on 11/01/2006

If the DJ rules on the 11th that the abuse should be dealt with at the crown or if he hears the argument and rules that an abuse has not been caused due to the delay then we will be committed to Mold Crown Court for trial

Flying Tipping Allegations

2005-12-01T15:23:00.000Z

What an anti-climax, after all his posturing and overdosing on massive amounts of self importance, little Kelvin's case collapsed, the County Solicitor advised that he had lack of evidence

I have considered a claim for malicious prosecution, but at the moment I have bigger fish to fry

Magistrates Court, Prestatyn

2005-11-28T12:01:00.000Z

The CPS solicitor today had a better suit than the last one but he had a beard

The CPS only served the commital papers today along with their skeleton argument regarding the abuse of process application, the CPS deem it helpful for the abuse of process to be heard at the Crown Court, I explained that being helpful to the CPS is not of any particular interest to me. So we insisted that it be heard at the Magistrates court, they are bringing in a District Judge for next Monday

So me and Dave now have the commital papers to go through (250+ documents)

Going to Denbigh Magistrates on Wednesday for the fly tipping episode

2005-11-24T21:39:00.000Z

Cold today

Court cases looming

2005-11-24T13:59:00.000Z

Danny is up at Llandudo Magistrates Court next monday 28th for a case review

I am up at Prestatyn Magistrates on 28th for commital to the crown Court

30th November, I am in Denbigh Magistrates regarding the fly tipping 'incident'

2005-11-23T21:33:00.000Z

Stani

No cannabis plants handed over to police

2005-11-07T18:10:00.000Z

People with Hugo Rifkind

The Times

Officials hazy over mission marijuana

NO FEWER than six senior members of the Cabinet have been in possession of cannabis this week.

Well, sort of. The Welsh drugs campaigner Jeff Ditchfield had cannabis plants delivered to 10 Downing Street, the Treasury, the Ministry of Defence, the Attorney-General, the Home Office and the occasional Welsh Secretary, Peter Hain. In a covering letter, Ditchfield pleaded with ministers to “amend legislation to allow a specific defence for the cultivation and medicinal use of cannabis”.

Mystifyingly, Scotland Yard has no knowledge of any cannabis plants having been handed in by anyone. So where did all the doobie go? “Ours did go to the police,” a Welsh Office spokesman said, slightly defensively. “I’m sure of it.” Downing Street was a little more vague. “I, uh, don’t really know about that,” said a press officer in ponderous and (dare we say it) hazy tones, before promising to, like, look into it.

We didn’t bother with any of the others. Even if they had managed to answer their telephones, they’d probably have been unable to say anything sensible

source below

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1855020,00.html

Cannabis plants sent to PM and Cabinet

2005-11-02T18:07:00.000Z

Daily Post

Nov 2 2005

By Tom Bodden, Daily Post

DRUGS campaigner Jeff Ditchfield yesterday delivered a crop of cannabis plants to Tony Blair and the cabinet.

The stunt aimed to persuade the government to put the medicinal use of cannabis on the political agenda. Mr Ditchfield, 45, of Rhyl said: "I don't know if what I did was technically illegal, and I don't care.

"I suggested they might cultivate the plants and donate the female flowering tops in about eight weeks time to an MS sufferer.

"If not, they could return them to me and I could convert them into a capsule form and donate it on their behalf."

Mr Ditchfield stood as a legalise cannabis candidate in the general election

The packages were directed to addresses including 10 Downing Street, the Treasury, Ministry of Defence, attorney general and the Home Office, as well as Welsh secretary Peter Hain.

In a covering letter to the prime minister, Mr Ditchfield suggested the government could reschedule cannabis to allow its prescription by GPs.

"Or you can amend legislation to allow a specific defence for the cultivation and medicinal use of cannabis," he said.. "It cannot be right that you and your cabinet colleagues are allowing some of our most vulnerable citizens to have to contact some of the most dangerous people in our society in order to obtain an effective natural medicine."

He highlighted the case of Biz Ivol, raised in Commons questions with the prime minister in 2002.

The MS sufferer, who died in September last year, described her pain as "like someone pulling barbed wire through my spine".

Mr Ditchfield said: "Seriously ill people are still being arrested by the police and prosecuted by the CPS for the medicinal use of cannabis."

Mr Ditchfield said the Post Office confirmed the parcels were delivered yesterday.

letter in full below

Rt Hon Tony Blair MP
10 Downing Street,
London, SW1A 2AA
31st October 2005

Dear Prime Minister

I hope the enclosed cannabis plant has arrived in good order

On 3/07/2002, Alistair Carmichael MP (Orkney & Shetland) directed this question to Tony Blair

May I bring to the Prime Minister's attention the situation of my constituent Mrs. Biz Ivol, who is being prosecuted for the cultivation of cannabis which she uses to get some relief from the pain that she suffers as a result of having multiple sclerosis? Does the Prime Minister really believe that the war against drugs will be won by making a criminal of a 54-year-old woman who has led an otherwise blameless life and who is now confined to a wheelchair? When will the Government act to legalise the medicinal use of cannabis and bring an end to the nonsense of prosecutions such as the one facing my constituent?

Response from Tony Blair (Prime Minister, HM Treasury)

I understand the concerns that the hon. Gentleman raises and those of his constituent. As he probably knows, we are currently reviewing the issue of cannabis and people with diseases such as multiple sclerosis. We are not yet in a position to state the findings of that review, but we are giving it urgent
consideration. We understand that there is potentially a distinction between those who need cannabis for medicinal purposes and those who do not. I am sure that people will take a sympathetic view of the position of the hon. Gentleman's constituent, although that must remain a matter for the authorities, not the Government. 03/07/2002, source – Hansard

Mr Carmichael’s constituent Ms Ivol, who described the pain from her MS as "feeling like someone is pulling barbed wire through my spine" passed away in September last year.

The authorities did not take a sympathetic view in the case of Ms Ivol and they are NOT taking a sympathetic view in other such cases. Seriously ill people are still being arrested by the police and prosecuted by the CPS for the medicinal use of cannabis.

The Court of Appeal, in May this year reminded us that;

23. The Runciman Report in 2000 contained a further comprehensive review of the position and arguments relating to therapeutic use of cannabis. The Report’s overview reads:

“We have also considered the issue of the therapeutic use of cannabis. We are in no doubt that the therapeutic benefits of cannabis use by people with certain serious illnesses outweigh any potential harm to themselves or to others. We have nothing to add to the detail of the report of the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology. We are particularly surprised that one of the grounds for the Government’s summary rejection of its recommendations should be anxiety about the capacity of GPs to withstand pressure for the prescription of cannabis when they have always been able to prescribe heroin for pain without any apparent problem. We do not consider that the relevant International Convention prevents the transfer of cannabis and cannabis resin from Schedule 1 to 2 of the Regulations, thereby allowing its prescription. We recognise that until the current research programme produces a cannabis plant with a standard dose of THC, the main psychoactive ingredient, rules will need to be devised to govern what is to be provided under prescription, and by whom. We do not see that as an insurmountable problem. In the interim, we have recommended a specific defence in the law in the event that a person is charged with possessing, cultivating or supplying cannabis for the relief of certain medical conditions.”

In relation to this defence, the Runciman Report recommended that the burden of proof should rest upon the accused. This would, it suggested, meet this country’s international obligations and enable spurious defences to be rejected.

You may cultivate the enclosed cannabis plant, and donate the female flowering tops (in about 8 weeks time) to an MS sufferer, or if you wish, you may return it and I will happily convert the cannabis into capsule form and donate it on your behalf. This could of course constitute an offence under the MDA 1971.

As an alternative to committing a criminal act, you have the power (as advised by the Runciman Report five years ago) to reschedule cannabis from schedule 1 to schedule 2, thereby allowing prescription by GP’s, or you can amend legislation to allow a specific defence for the cultivation and medicinal use of cannabis

It cannot be right, that you and your Cabinet colleagues are allowing some of our most vulnerable citizens to have to contact some of the most dangerous people in our society in order to obtain an effective natural medicine

A similar letter and a cannabis plant have also been sent (recorded delivery) to your Cabinet colleagues, please discuss ending this shameful injustice at your next cabinet meeting.

Yours truly

J. Ditchfield

House of Lords refuse leave to appeal

2005-10-29T18:05:00.000Z

Lords won't hear my cannabis bid
Oct 29 2005
By Carl Butler, Daily Post

NORTH Wales cannabis campaigner Jeffrey Ditchfield yesterday said law lords were refusing to hear his final appeal.

Mr Ditchfield of Water Street, Rhyl, wanted the House of Lords to rule on his defence of "necessity" in giving cannabis to relieve pain.

A Chester Crown Court jury last year found him not guilty of supplying cannabis, after he used the medical necessity defence.

Retired farmer and MS sufferer Glyn Williams of Caerwys appeared in his wheelchair to tell the judge Mr Ditchfield saved him from pain.

But three Court of Appeal judges in May ruled cannabis could not be legalised to alleviate pain and declared the defence of necessity should not have been allowed.

They agreed Mr Ditchfield - and others who made similar claims - could appeal to the Lords.

Mr Ditchfield, who stood as a Legalise Cannabis candidate in the general election in Vale of Clwyd, said yesterday: "The Lords announced they would not hear the appeal.

"I don't know why yet, but the appeal was on a point of law and generally it means if they refuse to consider it they are in agree-ment with the Court of Appeal." Mr Ditchfield predicted the ruling would cause an outcry from seriously ill people for whom cannabis was often the last resort.

He said: "It just can't be right to criminalise people in wheelchairs for using a plant."

Others who also saw their appeal rejected by the House of Lords were now considering an appeal to the European courts.

But Mr Ditchfield, 49, was uncertain if he would join them.

Instead he may pin his hopes on another case in November when he is considering putting forward a new defence.

"Basically I want to go back to court on a new charge and this will give me a chance to argue my case," he said..

Mr Ditchfield was acquitted at Chester Crown Court on January 16 last year after being allowed to use the defence of "necessity" by the trial judge Elgan Edwards.

Back to Magistrates Court

2005-10-18T18:03:00.000Z

Daily Post
18th October 2005

A CANNABIS campaigner facing new charges last night called for the case to be dropped because it took so long to prosecute him.

Jeffrey Ditchfield, 45, and David Newton, 50, both appeared before Prestatyn magistrates yesterday jointly charged with cultivating 26 cannabis plants between January 2004 and March 2004.

Ditchfield, of Water Street, Rhyl, was also charged with supplying Lawrence Brierley of Manchester with cannabis between January 1999 and January 2004.

He faced a further charge of supplying Newton with a derivative of cannabis between May 2003 and January 2004.

Newton of Grove Park Avenue, Rhyl, was also charged with possessing cannabis between January and March 2004.

Andrew Hutchinson, for both men, said he would be arguing there was an abuse of process over the time taken to bring the charges because the police had all the evidence for 18 months

Charged, supply and cultivation

2005-10-12T18:00:00.000Z

12/10/2005, after 19 months and 9 bail extensions I was finally charged at the insistence of the CPS by NWP and bailed to appear at Prestatyn Magistrates Court

I have been charged with

cultivation

Supplying a derivative of cannabis (capsules)

and supplying cannabis in general

Medical cannabis man faces trial
Oct 14 2005

By Tom Bodden, Daily Post

NORTH Wales cannabis campaigner Jeff Ditchfield last night
faced fresh charges of supplying and growing the drug.

The 45-year-old shop owner from Rhyl spent more than a year on bail. During the summer he challenged the director of public prosecutions to bring charges or drop the case against him.

Mr Ditchfield said last night he planned to plead not guilty and seek a trial at crown court. He previously claimed cannabis helped relieve the pain of chronically ill people.

The latest charges include cultivating 26 plants at Prestatyn between January 1 and March 25, 2004, plus supplying a derivative of the drug in Rhyl between May 21, 2003, and January 29, 2004. And he also faces a third charge of supplying cannabis in Manchester between January 1 1999 and June 22, 2004.

He was due to appear at Prestatyn magistrates court on Monday. Last night Mr Ditchfield said: "I have been on bail since June 2004, and some of the alleged offences against me pre-date my last trial when I was found not guilty. "I am quite glad I have been charged and I'm looking forward to going back to crown court. "I was found not guilty at Chester Crown Court in January 2004 of possession and possession with intent to supply. My defence was that cannabis was used to relieve pain and suffering because people can't get cannabis medicine from their GP.
"
Previously, Mr Ditchfield, of Water Street, who stood as a candidate for the Legalize Cannabis Alliance in the general election, was found not guilty at Chester Crown Court of possession and intent to supply the drug after a jury heard he gave it to people for medicinal reasons.

Since his acquittal by a jury last year, an appeal court judge ruled the defence of 'necessity' in supplying cannabis for medical reasons should not have been allowed, but did not over-rule the verdict.

Bud Buddie threatened with eviction

2005-09-10T19:51:00.000Z

Bud Buddie Laurence, informed us that his care home had given him and 8 other residents notice of eviction. The care home were in dispute with Oldham Social Services regarding the level of funding for Laurence’s care

Laurence sufferers from MS and Diabetes, he has had both legs amputated at the waist, his right arm is completely paralysed and he only has 20% movement in his left arm

Bud Buddies entered a dialogue with Social Services and the care home on behalf of Laurence

The care home had requested additional funding to cover the cost of Laurence’s care, Oldham Social Services had refused and communication between the parties had broken down.

Bud Buddies supporter and Member of the European Parliament for Oldham, Chris Davies MEP agreed to get involved

Shortly after Chris’s involvement, the matter was resolved and the 9 residents have remained in their home

BBC2 Documentary on Bud Buddies

2005-09-06T17:58:00.000Z

BBC2, 8th September 2005

40 minute documentary

http://icnorthwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/regionalnews/tm_objectid=15892008%26method=full%26siteid=50142-name_page.html

Another sick Bud Buddie raided

2005-08-23T19:33:00.000Z

23rd August 2005

Bud Buddy member Andy Wilson was raided by the police in Fleetwood.
This was less than three weeks after Andy appeared at Preston Crown Court

Over 30 officers were involved in the operation, Andy and his 5 months pregnant carer were kept in the cells from 9 in the morning until 5 in the evening, Andy’s carer had her clothes (dungarees) confiscated. She was released from Fleetwood police station at 6.30pm and had to make her own way home

The stress of his arrest and the implications made by a number of police officers that he would be held on remand resulted in Andy suffering a suspected heart attack which caused him to collapse while he was detained in a police cell. An ambulance was called and removed him from the police station to hospital.

Andy was detained in hospital for a few days

Arrested again!

2005-08-17T19:30:00.000Z

17/08/2005 I was telephoned by PC Homer of Cheltenham Drugs squad and he requested that I attend St Asaph Custody Suite where I would be arrested and interviewed.

PC Homer and another officer drove from Cheltenham police station and interviewed me on 18/08/2005,

I was arrested, interviewed and released on police bail until 04/10/05

The CPS are told to pull their fingers out!

2005-08-12T17:56:00.000Z

A NORTH Wales cannabis campaigner yesterday blasted legal bosses and cops after spending more than a year on bail.

Jeff Ditchfield complained about his 12 months on remand in a letter to the director of public prosecutions.

Details on link below

http://icnorthwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/regionalnews/tm_objectid=15849123%26method=full%26siteid=50142-name_page.html

Bud Buddie member raided

2005-07-21T19:27:00.000Z

Thursday 21/07/05, Bud Buddie member AJ6DX was arrested by 6 members of Cheltenham Drugs Squad who served a warrant at his home

OIC (officer in charge) was PC Sean Homer, on attachment to the Drug Squad, I left 3 telephone messages for him. My fourth telephone call enabled me to speak to DS John Roberts, and I informed him that A. was a member of Bud Buddies and I explained about Bud Buddies. During our 25 minute conversation I explained that the cannabis capsules taken from Alan by his officers are supplied and made by Bud Buddies, DS Roberts said that Alan had already mentioned BB and he admitted to finding the BB website of great interest and said he gained much experience from using the Internet and was impressed by the BB set-up, he had downloaded the application paperwork and will be submitting them to the CPS (cute aren't they?)

DS Roberts, seemed genuinely concerned regarding A’s medical condition and said that A had been onto their office today being quite abusive regarding the non-return of his computer. I explained (with A’s blessing) that we had taken steps to restock Alan with cannabis, and when his pain subsided he would find Alan to be a nice guy.

10th June 2005

2005-06-10T13:02:00.000Z

Battle of the post was a draw today, there was a recorded delivery so I had to answer the door so it doesn’t count, 2 applications today, both contacted, both now new buddies members

Had a phone call off A, before he was a buddie member he was busted 7 times for cultivation, 7 times in court, 7 fines the maximum being £50.00, this all happened within 18 months, so he moved to another part of the country. You guessed it, was busted in his new home (different police force) for cultivation, 6 coppers, they even dragged from his wheelchair to put him in the back of a police car. A, has also suffered 8 heart attacks and the police are lucky they did not have a corpse on their hands

His latest court case is being taken to crown court and A, is pleading not quilty all the way, his court case had been adjourned until 1/8/05 as the Judge was waiting on the ruling form the COA,

We are helping A with his court case and his case against the police for assault, 8 messages on the answer phone today, all dealt withI phoned Kelvin today, but had to leave a message on his voice mail

"Hi Kelvin, Jeff Ditchfield here, I need your advice, I have just opened an envelope addressed to myself, but it contains a mail shot from one of our shop suppliers, should the envelope go in my home bin as it is addressed to me personally or should it go in the business bin as it contained business correspondence,? Please let me know"

I had to go out this afternoon, things to do, M from thc4ms phoned and told me about todays developments, M & L are on bail and since the COA ruling we now have continuing operations against thc4ms then I suspect charges are due to made against them. Two, maybe three police forces are involved with thc4ms and I would hazard a guess that there is a fourth in NWP, it could even be National Crime Squad, after all thc4ms and bud buddies are both criminal organisations, we have hundreds of criminal members, all involved with an illegal drug on a daily basis, we have connections to other such groups throughout the world, we cultivate, conspire, possess, supply, and produce an illegal drug,.

I have to assume that if they are pursuing thc4ms then they must be equally interested in BB,

Maybe that medi-user demonstration will happen sooner than we thought. We need to make Fathers 4 Justice look like complete amateurs, to be fair they have set a high standard for gaining publicity but I reckon we have more ‘sneaky little shits’ then they have, I’m ready, I know M & L are also ready, but we do not want this fight, we know that the sick people we help are going to suffer, but unfortunately this government doesn’t seem to care about sick peoples suffering

9th June 2005

2005-06-09T12:55:00.000Z

And again!!!!! I got the mail, that damn dog is losing his touch!

Normal mail stuff, 5 BB applications today, but only two complete, also 8 feedback forms returned, 5 messages on the answer machine

N. called in again, he complained that his new speech computer makes him sound like a yank

A, called in for a jar of cream

Then Danny came into the office and whispered “there’s a Kelvin from the council asking for you”

“Ask him if its Kelvin from accounts or environmental health”

“What?”“Just do it”

On Danny’s return “from environmental health”

After letting him wait for 10 minutes

“Hello”

“Good afternoon Mr Ditchfield”

“Hello, Kelvin, would you like a coffee?”

“I’m fine thank you”

“Go on, it’s fair trade, the best coffee in Rhyl”

“Okay then, I’ll have a small black coffee”

No one can talk when the coffee machine is on ;)

After I give him his coffee, I take a sip of mine

“What do you think?”

“Very nice”

“I’m glad you like it, that will be £1.70 please”

“Oh, oh, right, thank you” and he hands over a grubby fiver that I promptly hold up to the light and pull faces at the queen before putting it in the till and giving him his change

“What can I do for you?”

“We spoke on the phone the other day, I am Kelvin Hughes”

“Do you have any ID?”

He hands over his ID card and I study his photograph intently before handing it back

“Mr Ditchfield, I am investigating an alleged incident and I must warn you that anything you say…”

“Hold on, STOP, are you reading me my rights?”

“Yes Mr Ditchfield, you have…………”

“No, please stop”“Mr Ditchfield, I have to…………..”

“Look, I am not going to let you read me my rights, I struggle to keep a straight face when a copper does it, some coppers think it is illegal to give sick people bits of a plant to make them feel better, so what makes you think I can let you do it?”

"Any way, I can't sell you any cannabis"

"I don't want any"

"Good, I can't let you have any, unless you are ill?"

“Mr Ditchfield, I am investigating an incident and as part of my investigation…………..”

“Look, why do you feel the need to read me my rights?, do you have to do it as part of your job or is it just a hobby of yours?”

“Anything you say may be……...”

“Stop it, you’re trying to do it again, stop, look at it from my point of view, if I accept that an investigative bin man can read me my rights, then where will it end, I’ll have traffic wardens offering me cautions next, I’m sorry I just cannot take you or your job seriously”

“What is this alleged incident anyway?”

“Well I am lead to believe that some waste under your control…”

“Can we just get to the point?”

“A bin bag was found at the rear of your property containing waste from your business”

“So?”

“Waste from a business is not eligible for collection by the domestic refuse collection service and therefore is a clear case of fly tipping”

“But we have a bin from WasteEaters and pay them for disposing of our business waste”

“Well how do you explain this then?” and produces an envelope addressed to the Beggars Belief “That is addressed to your business address and therefore it is business waste”

“Not necessarily, if you’d bothered to check you’d find that I live at the flat above, maybe I opened my mail in my flat and therefore it is private waste as I read it in my home,”

“Strictly speaking it is business waste, however I will pass on what you have said to the County solicitor and he will decide if any further action should be taken”

“So is that it?”

“Yes Mr Ditchfield, we will contact you if further action is to be taken”

“Goodbye”

That relieved my stress for the day and then it was back to the day to day stuff

Went out for a bit of gardening and to finish off the batch of cream, then back to the shop, chips and plaice for my tea, a large pile of filing all filed and take the dogs out

And a big thank you to Kelvin for providing the light relief

8th June 2005

2005-06-08T12:49:00.000Z

And by the way, the funny smell coming from the drains that Gary has been complaining about for the past few days turns out to be the dead junkie who lived next door .

Pretty quiet morning, not much in the way of mail but it was all retrieved intact, Stanni must be losing his touch

No telephone messages to answer either and not much in the way of phone calls, we had a couple of reports today of ‘missing’ care packages, but I’m not the paranoid type so I am not going to lose any sleep over it.

Replacements have been sent, along with 80 pre-rolled of our finest to L

Again, no breakfast, but I made up for it at lunch and went out for a fry up

I also sent R some flowers from BB

This afternoon brought a phone call from G, he was in hospital last week and usually the nurses don’t mind his little bag of ground BB herb, they even put it into his yoghurt for him. However there is apparently a new matron or sister in charge and she flushed his herb down the toilet and told him he was lucky she wasn’t reporting him to the police, he’s 74, suffers from MS and cancer and he spoke on my behalf at my last Crown Court trial. What a cow! But I will sort her out at a later date, I’ve asked G to let me know the next time he has to go in and I will bring in the volcano and some capsules,

Been to see my sister this afternoon, she’s just come out of hospital after being cut out of her car after a bad accident. Last week she was forced off the road by some dick in a van who then drove off after forcing her car down an embankment, the car ended up on its roof and the fire brigade had to cut her out. She’s a nurse at the local Eye Hospital and will be off work for three months, skull fracture, 3 fractured vertebrae, one crushed vertebrae, cracked ribs, broken nose, black eyes, and bruising. She was on her way to feed her horse when the accident happened, luckily she didn’t have the kids with her.

When she came round in hospital she was pleased to see her husband who told her that it was all quite ironic really as her horse had a bad fall that afternoon and the vet had to come out and put it down. He really is a prat at times

After visiting my sis I sorted out some capsules, by the way 500ml of canna oil makes 870 capsules, and I got a new batch of canna cream on the go

There were a couple of messages waiting for me when I got back to the shop, but straight forward stuff really

I'm feeling pretty positive and tomorrow I'm going out to do a bit of gardening That’s about it for today, I am now going to take the dogs down to the beach for a bit of a run

7th June 2005

2005-06-07T12:40:00.000Z

Damn it!, Stanni won today, he got to the mail first, I was upstairs when I heard the letter box rattle, Stanni was quicker than Tony Blair after a band wagon, and with Danzig (Great Dane) all 15 stone getting in the way I didn’t stand a chance.

There were only two chewed envelopes, one from Readers Digest and an electricity bill; with the score so far this week at one all, I think I have a chance.

I thought I’d better have breakfast today, but only 2 rounds of toast shared between me and the dogs, The usual suspects in the mail today, bills, invoices, buddies paperwork, and a letter from Denbighshire County Council to go to the police station to make a statement regarding an accusation of fly tipping! I telephoned Mr Kelvin Hughes the Environmental Enforcement Officer dealing with the accusation

Me: “Kevin?”

Kelvin: "Kelvin Hughes, how can I help you?”

“Jeff Ditchfield from Water St, I have received a letter from you”

“Ah yes, Mr Ditchfield, I need to interview you regarding an investigation into an incident concerning a quantity of controlled waste which was allegedly deposited onto unlicensed land”

“What?”

“Investigations I have carried out indicate that at the time of the alleged incident you were the person who had control of the waste, therefore I now need to interview you regarding this matter”

“Look Kevin”

“It’s Kelvin”

“Can you spell that?”

“K – E – L – V – I – N”

“You mean like Kevin but with an L in it”

“Yes, look, we need to arrange a time for you to attend Rhyl police station for the interview to take place”

(silence)

“Mr Ditchfield are you still there”

“Yes sorry, I was trying to think of how many Kelvin’s I know, I know 5 Kevin’s but no Kelvin’s, do you know any?”

“Ermm, I think there’s a Kelvin in accounts”

“Sorry I don’t know him”

“Mr Ditchfield, we seem to be getting away from the matter in hand, when would be convenient for the interview”

“When cannabis is legal again, until then I am very busy helping seriously ill people with cannabis, so I can’t really spare the time”

“You are entitled to have your solicitor present”

“So?”

“Mr Ditchfield, I must advise you that I have a wide range of options and powers available to me and if you do not attend the police station as requested I will have to consider other courses of action”

“Do you have the power of arrest?”

“No”

“Am I under any legal obligation to attend the police station as you have requested?”

“No, but………”

“Well in that case, you consider your other courses of action and get back to me”

“I will”

“Thank you Kevin, Goodbye”

It was then back to proper work, opening and reading feedback forms, updating members records, the Pot of Gold seems very effective for those suffering pain, good analgesic properties and quite long lasting.

The feedback on the latest capsules (batch 0606CA) is very promising too. I remembered to order the empty capsules, they should be here tomorrow

Answer phone messages, 6 today, luckily all pretty straight forward

Work on re-stocking buddies members, but we are out of capsules so capsule requests are put to one side,

Also getting low on cream, so I will have to get a batch on tomorrow after the capsules have been sorted,

Lunch, sardines on toast, I just had a real craving for them, but as always, shared with the dogs

N, called into the shop today, he is a member with an inoperable brain tumour, he’s been in a chair for a while and his speech has always been affected but now he can’t speak at all. His Brother has given up his job to act as full time carer. I haven’t seen N for a few weeks, so we sat outside the shop and chatted for a bit, it was great to see N sat in his electric scooter laughing with the half inflated bag of a volcano in his hand, N, went off, happy with 20 pre-rolled of our best

Bits of paperwork next, paying bills, writing letters, and a special one to the Home Office

Up until then it was all going quite well, R telephoned to inform us that M had passed away, he was the member from Coventry who we took a vap down to,

We stopped a terminally ill man from taking his own life, a man so desperate to stop his pain that he dragged himself out of the house and into the garage so he could kill himself, all the resources of the NHS couldn’t stop him doing that, they failed him, but we didn’t, and we did it all with a bit of a plant.

So because of us and a bit of a plant M was able to see his son play football, and if I have to do 14 years for that, then f*ck them, bring it on!

Today hasn't been such a good day

Cannabis Cream sent by BB to the Home Office

2005-06-06T19:26:00.000Z

The following correspondence was sent to the Home Office

Home Office
D L E U
315 Horseferry House
Dean Ryle Street
LondonSW1 H 9AT

6th June 2005

Your ref DDA 04 0023/0003/02

Dear Mr Vale

Please accept my apologies for the delay in responding to your last communication As previously explained, I wish to cultivate cannabis and use the crop in the preparation of a cream to be used by arthritis suffers. A person known to me has been making such a cream for a number of years and they have been supplying it to arthritis suffers free of charge. In support of my application I enclose a jar of the cream, I believe I have the authority to do this under section 5 (4) of the misuse of drugs act. The cream contains, organic cannabis, organic olive oil, essential oil of lavender and beeswax. The Cream is 100% natural, no chemicals are used in the production of this product.

The cream is for external application only, it cannot be smoked, ingested nor can a person ‘get high’ by using it. I believe this fulfils Government criteria for a cannabis based preparation

I can supply you with letters from people who have used this cream and they will testify to its effectiveness, however as they are using an illegal product (cannabis) I would require your assurance that NO legal action would be taken against any individual

Yours truly

J. Ditchfield

6th June 2005

2005-06-06T12:37:00.000Z

Officially Sunday and Mondays are our days off, which coincide with our shop openings, however, illness and disease have no holidays so in reality, we never stop

Up at 8.30am today, staggered downstairs and let the dogs outside to do their stuff

For some strange reason, Stanni (the Rhodesian Ridgeback) has taken a real dislike to the postman, and goes absolutely nuts when he hears the letterbox being opened. Every morning it is a race to who gets the mail first, today I won, so the mail was in one piece

Usual bills and junk mail plus four new applications, two fully completed, two without supporting information, returned the two incomplete with requests for confirmation of illness

Telephoned the two new applicants whose information was complete, ran through a Q&A session and completed our membership process, two new bud buddies added

Checked answerphone, 7 messages all from Buddies, returned callsChecked e-mails, requests for assistance, requests for advice,

Lunch - Bag of chrisps (cheese and onion)

Sorted out the requests for help, capsules, cream and bud, sent out along with feedback formsOut for a few hours this afternoon, visit to the bank, shopping,

Start a new batch of capsules, 50 grams of extractor into 1 litre of hemp seed oil, left to simmer

Get back and feed the dogs

Damn it!!!, forgot to order a new delivery of empty capsules, will have to do it tomorrow

It is now 6.30pm, still got a stack of filing to do, but that can wait, it's our day off!!!!!

Court of Appeal ruling

2005-05-28T17:53:00.000Z

The ruling states that I will not be allowed to use the defence of necessity again!

Three appeal court judges ruled against the argument that otherwise unlawful conduct could be "excused or justified by the need to avoid a greater evil".

They also dismissed the defence of "necessity" to those who used or supplied the Class C drug to alleviate severe pain.

Details on link below

http://icnorthwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/regionalnews/tm_objectid=15577249%26method=full%26siteid=50142-name_page.html

BB on BBC Radio 5 live

2005-05-26T19:24:00.000Z

Thursday 26/05/2005 at 10:30am Radio 5 conducted a live radio broadcast from the Beggars Belief in Rhyl with members of Bud Buddies

I didn't get to be an MP

2005-05-06T17:51:00.000Z

Thanks to everyone who voted for me

Details below

http://icnorthwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/regionalnews/tm_objectid=15486781%26method=full%26siteid=50142-name_page.html

2005-04-02T21:35:00.000Z

Me and Mr Nice

2005-04-02T21:33:00.000Z

Howard being bored in Rhyl

Howard Marks visits The Beggars Belief

2005-04-02T21:20:00.000Z

Me and Mr Nice outside the Beggars Belief coffeeshop in Rhyl

BBC One, Inside Out Extra

2005-03-21T19:22:00.000Z

BBC One, Inside Out Extra: Monday March 21, 2005

The BBC broadcast a program at 7.30pm on the issues concerning medicinal cannabis use, I represented Bud Buddies and the program resulted in over 500 e-mails and letters offering support and requesting assistance with medicinal cannabis.

Despite committing over 60 cannabis offences in the program to an estimated 3.5 million viewers, I was not interviewed or questioned by the police concerning my actions

After this program Bud Buddies membership topped 200 members

Standing as a candidate in the General Election

2005-03-17T17:49:00.000Z

I decided to stand as a candidate in the May 2005 General Election for the Legalise Cannabis Alliance

Details below

http://icnorthwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/regionalnews/tm_objectid=15303801%26method=full%26siteid=50142-name_page.html

Cannabis man faces appeal court

2005-02-15T17:45:00.000Z

THE attorney general is seeking to overturn a jury's decision to clear a North Wales cannabis campaigner.

Details on the links below

http://icnorthwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/regionalnews/tm_objectid=15191716&method=full&siteid=50142-name_page.html

http://icnorthwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/regionalnews/tm_objectid=15196045&method=full&siteid=50142-name_page.html

http://icnorthwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/regionalnews/tm_objectid=15200034%26method=full%26siteid=50142-name_page.html

The Royal College of General Practitioners

2005-01-18T19:19:00.000Z

Cannabis and the primary care practitioner, The Royal College of General Practitioners

Tuesday 18th January 2005, I gave a lecture to 70 plus, GP’s, Consultants and Health professionals at the Royal College of General Practitioners in London on Cannabis Harm Reduction. I presented a lecture based upon a Bud Buddies publication ‘Proposals for a Harm Reduction strategy’ I was also part of a Q&A session.

I was very apprehensive, I was alongside a panel of experts consisting of Doctor Gerada, Director of Primary Care for the Royal College, Professor John Henry of St Mary’s Hospital London, Professor Robin Murray The Institute of Psychiatry London and Kate Hoey MP.

Professor John Henry, Mary Jane and I had a detailed discussion concerning his research into cannabis use and possible links with psychological disorders. He was especially interested in the impurities contained in soapbar (the resinous most commonly form of cannabis available from dealers). Professor Henry agreed that Ketamine, a horse tranquiliser (added to resin by dealers) could be the cause of any associated psychological problems

I was paid £200.00 for my lecture, I donated £100.00 of the fee to Bud Buddies and the remainder to THC4MS who supply cannabis chocolate to MS sufferers

Mission of Mercy

2004-11-10T18:34:00.000Z

BB member MW3JL contacted Bud Buddies to inform us that he had attempted suicide. Mike suffers from the following illness’s and diseases

DiabetesMultiembolisim(heart and lungs)
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Sleep Apnoea
AnginaCorpulmonale
Left ventricule Failure (TWICE)
Ulcerative Colitis
Panductomy Ileostomy
Chronic obstrucitive pulmonary Disease
Rhuematoid Arthritis
SpondylitisOsteoporosisCarpal Tunnel Syndrome
PsoriasisNeuropithyCataractsMigraneParastomal Hernia
Incisional Hernia
Ischemic Heart Disease
Degeneration of Left Shoulder
Has also lost 50% of his lung capacity

He takes 49 prescribed medications per day (over 100 tablets) and in addition has to have 9 injections a day.

Mike joined Bud Buddies after his consultant suggested cannabis use to him, Mike was on the maximum permissible amount of Diamorphine (Heroin) and his consultant could not increase the dosage, due to his damaged lungs smoking was not an option and cannabis capsules were provided to Mike via Bud Buddies

For the preceding few months Mike had to attend Hospital for one week in four, this was necessary due to the high levels of Diamorphine being administered in an attempt to control his painOn Monday 08/11/04 Mike was informed that he could not have anymore painkillers for another 3 weeks, due to his heart problems any further prescriptions of opiate analgesics would kill him. He was discharged from hospital and sent home.

Due to the pain Mike hadn't slept since Saturday and on Tuesday 09/11/05 he dragged himself out of the house and managed to get into his wife’s car in the garage, he started the engine in an attempt to end his suffering.

Luckily Mike was found, taken into his home and was then attended by his GP who confirmed that he could not administer any analgesics and the GP suggested that Mike could try smoking cannabis in a water pipe for pain relief. The health hazards of smoking are well documented, and for someone with only 50% lung capacity smoking is never (normally) an option for Bud Buddies, however, as Mike’s GP said “smoking isn’t going to kill you, one of your illness’s is going to do that”

On Wednesday evening myself and two other members of Bud Buddies set off from Rhyl for Coventry with a vaporisor, capsules and 10 Grams of cannabis. It took us a little over 2 and a half hours to arrive.

We explained to Mike that vaporising was a better option than smoking. The main active ingredient in cannabis (THC) is not contained within the structure of the cannabis plant itself, it is contained in small mushroom like structures (trichomes) which are found predominately on the flowers of the female cannabis plant. Studies have demonstrated that a vaporizer can successfully generate THC vapour at 185°C, a good quality vaporiser will operate in the temperature range of 180 to 220°C this is below the flashpoint of cellulose (plant material) and the lack of combustion completely suppresses benzene, toluene, and naphthalene formation.

When cannabis is smoked in a joint temperatures of 700 to 900°C are reached, this produces noxious pyrolytic by products . Quality vaporisors cost from £100.00 to £400.00 and many ill people cannot afford to purchase such an expensive device for the harm reduction benefits alone. When cannabis is burnt in a joint or pipe, 50% of the THC is destroyed by the act of combustion, a vaporizer avoids the burning process therefore it is a more efficient method of administration.

Many people (Mike’s GP included) mistakenly believe that smoking cannabis in a water pipe is an effective method of harm reduction; the opposite is actually the case, the assumption that tar is insoluble in water and by therefore drawing smoke through water ‘purifies’ is partly correct. However THC is also insoluble in water, the net effects of using a water pipe is that more smoke has to be inhaled to compensate for the THC filtered out via the water. A user of cannabis will effectively inhale up to 30% more tar by using a water pipe than by using cannabis in an unfiltered joint.

We demonstrated how to use the vaporisor, after only 20 minutes of use Mike seemed more relaxed and explained that his pain was subsiding, after a further half an hour he was asleep, the first time he had managed to sleep in 5 days.

We arrived back in Rhyl at 3am Thursday morning. I spoke to Mike later that day and he told me that he slept from 11pm Wednesday until 2pm Thursday afternoon,

Mike’s GP and his Care Worker both commented that "he is a changed man" and they expressed amazement at the difference he had shown in just 24 Hours

By using the vaporisor, Mike managed to attend his 7 year old son’s Sunday football matches, something that he could never have managed normally.

Bail extended until 09/11/2004

2004-11-09T17:34:00.000Z

Bail extended

NWP very apologetic and extend bail until 09/02/2005, Detective Constable Jamie Roberts, explained that the delay was due to the CPS awaiting a decision from the Attorney General on a decision to prosecute

Police Officer sends CV to pro-drugs site

2004-09-20T17:37:00.000Z

The officer was really after a new post as an airborne spotter with North Wales Police's helicopter, and boasted of her powers of observation.
She found the knife used by convicted pyschopath Michael Khan to murder Prestatyn pensioner Brian Dodd.

But instead of sending her CV to the force's own website, she emailed it to Jeffrey Ditchfield, who runs the Beggars Belief cafe and shop in Rhyl.
Last night a police spokeswoman described the incident as "a mistake waiting to happen".

Full details on the link below

http://icnorthwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/regionalnews/tm_objectid=14663482%26method=full%26siteid=50142-name_page.html

A Bud Buddie passed away - Biz Ivol RIP

2004-09-05T17:31:00.000Z

One of the inspirations behind the formation of Bud Buddies, Ms Biz Ivol passed away, her death had a profound effect on me.

Biz suffered from MS and found that cannabis added to chocolate gave her relief from the symptoms of her MS, which she described as "like somebody pulling barbed wire through my spine"

Biz had been prosecuted on a number of occasions for supplying cannabis chocolates to fellow MS sufferers and for cultivating cannabis in her back garden,

The BBC news article below explains

MS cannabis campaigner raided

Biz Ivol takes a stand: "I am not a criminal"

Police have raided a dope-smoking multiple sclerosis sufferer, who featured in our weekly Real Time series explaining how she sent cannabis chocolates to other sufferers.

Biz Ivol, who campaigns for cannabis to legalised for medicinal use, has had her home raided by police.

The Orkney Islander said four officers from Kirkwall Police searched her house last Monday, and took away her cannabis plants, address book and computer.

Biz Ivol first tried cannabis on her doctor's advice

"They were here for more than two hours, going through the house with a fine-tooth comb, but they haven't charged me with anything yet," she told BBC News Online.

Police confirmed that the house was searched, and their inquiries are continuing.

Ms Ivol, 53, uses cannabis to relieve the shakes and pains of multiple sclerosis and sends the surplus free-of-charge to other sufferers around the country.

Not only did the police quiz her about who took her parcels to the post office, she says they also questioned the local post mistress.

'Not a criminal'

In December 1997, Ms Ivol was admonished in Kirkwall Sheriff Court after admitting growing 27 cannabis plants.

Cannabis relieves nausea and eases muscle spasms

Ms Ivol says she is not a criminal. "What makes me cross is that people say it's my own fault for selling drugs. But I've never made a cent from what I'm doing."

Each time she hits the headlines, anonymous supporters from as far away as Ireland and Switzerland send her packages of cannabis seeds through the post.

She grows the plants in her home and, until recently, made cannabis-laced chocolates to send to other sufferers. But demand has grown so rapidly she has handed production over to fellow campaigners Mark and Lezley Gibson in Cumbria.

"When I stop taking it, the difference is frightening"

Ms Ivol, who was diagnosed with MS in 1990, spoke to BBC News Online in May about her fight to get cannabis legalised for medicinal use.
She said then that nothing alleviates the symptoms as effectively as cannabis.

"When I stop taking it, the difference is frightening. I've got uncontrollable muscle spasms - my hand starts banging off the table, my legs fly up into the air - my eyesight goes and I feel ill.

"And I can't tell when I need to go to the toilet without cannabis. I'm utterly and completely incontinent."

Earlier this year Canada became the first country to issue permits for the medical use of marijuana, but a ban remained on recreational use.
In October a House of Commons committee is due to start an investigation of possible decriminalisation of cannabis.

During one of her Court prosecutions, on the question of the legality or decriminalisation of the drug, this, said Sheriff Mackenzie, was for the politicians, not the courts, to decide.

This stance by the judicial authorities is one I will refer to at a later stage, however the plight of Biz was raised by her Member of Parliament with the Prime Minister, who responded

I understand the concerns that the hon. Gentleman raises and those of his constituent. As he probably knows, we are currently reviewing the issue of cannabis and people with diseases such as multiple sclerosis. We are not yet in a position to state the findings of that review, but we are giving it urgent consideration. We understand that there is potentially a distinction between those who need cannabis for medicinal purposes and those who do not. I am sure that people will take a sympathetic view of the position of the hon. Gentleman's constituent, although that must remain a matter for the authorities, not the Government. Tony Blair (Prime Minister) 3rd July 2002

Chief Constable takes drug test at Rhyl Town Hall

2004-06-23T17:24:00.000Z

He accepted a challenge from Jeff Ditchfield, who admits to supplying the drug for medicinal purposes from his premises in Water Street, Rhyl.

Story on links below

http://icnorthwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/regionalnews/tm_objectid=14359505&method=full&siteid=50142-name_page.html

http://icnorthwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/regionalnews/tm_objectid=14358393&method=full&siteid=50142-name_page.html

Another Town Hall Council meeting, and an idiot

2004-04-29T17:21:00.000Z

Consultant psychiatrist Dr Julian Race fears cannabis, which many users say is a "safe" drug, is addictive and leads to the use of heroin and cocaine.

After the meeting Mr Ditchfield, who was refused permission by the mayor, Glyn Williams, to question Dr Race, said he did not accept some of the claims.

http://icnorthwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/regionalnews/tm_objectid=14193337%26method=full%26siteid=50142-name_page.html

Soapbar handed in to Rhyl Police

2004-04-27T17:29:00.000Z

27/04/2004

I was approached by a member of the public who used cannabis medicinally to treat their arthritis, upon examination of the cannabis, I concluded that it was soapbar (aka resin) and I advised of the impurities contained in it.

The person then asked me to dispose of the resin and as it was a substantial amount I visited Rhyl police station and handed it over for safe disposal,

I obtained a receipt (reference DE2/367/04)

Busted

2004-03-26T21:33:00.000Z

Paranoid copper in a grow

Busted AGAIN!

2004-03-26T17:17:00.000Z

March 25th 2004,

I was informed by Dave Newton that a circulation fan had ‘jammed’ in a medi-growroom and a small electrical fire had been attended by the Fire Brigade, Dave extinguished the small fire himself, the Fire brigade informed the police and Dave had been arrested.

I attended (along with a BBC film crew) Rhyl police station on the evening of Dave’s arrest and it was closed, I spoke with an officer via the intercom system and was informed that I would have to return at another time.

The following day, Dave and myself, again visited Rhyl police station and spoke with Inspector Roly Schwarz. I explained to the Inspector that the growroom in question was a Bud Buddies operation and I handed him copies of BB Medicinal Growing contracts, a jar of cannabis cream and a small bag containing cannabis capsules.

Inspector Schwarz photo-copied the contracts, and said that he was going to contact the Crown Prosecution Service for advice

Colin Jones - What a tosser!

2004-02-24T17:02:00.000Z

Colin the self appointed community 'activist' and conscience of Rhyl, he really is a sad individual, as the following article illustrates

The verdict so incensed community campaigner Colin Jones, of Wellington Road, Rhyl, he wrote to Home Secretary David Blunkett.

In a reply to Mr Jones, the Home Office official said: "It seems that the jury were swayed by the use of the cannabis for medicinal purposes. Nevertheless, they reached a verdict contrary to the reported facts of the case in that the unauthorised possession of, and intent to supply, cannabis - for what-ever reason - are illegal.

http://icnorthwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/regionalnews/tm_objectid=13983215%26method=full%26siteid=50142-name_page.html

Dave

2004-01-26T17:15:00.000Z

After the Chester Crown Court trial, a Bud Buddie member introduced me to David Newton, an ex- Royal Marine Commando who sufferers from Arthritis. We talked at length about Bud Buddies and the medicinal use of cannabis.

Dave wanted to help

Trial aftermath

2004-01-21T16:59:00.000Z

Due to the TV and press coverage many, many people contacted me to offer support, but more importantly many cannabis medicinal users contacted Bud Buddies for assistance

Bud Buddies members now totalled over 100

http://icnorthwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/regionalnews/tm_objectid=13840951%26method=full%26siteid=50142-name_page.html

Chester Crown Court - The Verdict

2004-01-17T16:37:00.000Z

Standing in the dock at Court number one (the court where the Moors Murderers Brady and Hindley stood) awaiting a verdict is scary

The Court Clerk read out one by one all 4 charges, after each charge the verdict was 'Not Guilty'

The not guilty verdict was the best high ever, the purest organic sativa cannot produce a feeling like that!!

The foreman of the Jury (never got his name) approached me after the case and congratulated me, he said 'it was an honour to be on your jury'

'If we cannot trust a Jury, then we cannot trust ourselves'
J. Ditchfield

http://icnorthwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/regionalnews/tm_objectid=13833803%26method=full%26siteid=50142-name_page.html

http://icnorthwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/regionalnews/tm_objectid=13840935%26method=full%26siteid=50142-name_page.html

Chester Crown Court

2004-01-14T16:28:00.000Z

Nervous wasn't the word, being tried at Crown Court for offences carrying a 14 year jail term are no laughing matter, but what was funny was the CPS Barrister screwing up his opening statement which meant that the jury had to be dismissed and a brand new one sworn in

The Daily Post called it a 'cannabis giveaway'

http://icnorthwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/regionalnews/tm_objectid=13819341%26method=full%26siteid=50142-name_page.html

NWP get all upset over some name calling, bless 'em

2003-10-27T16:23:00.000Z

Poor coppers! DI Gary Ashton (and a few others) got a bit upset over some comments on a forum

But bless 'em for being so thin skinned and touchy

Apologise my arse!!!!

Story on link below

http://icnorthwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/regionalnews/tm_objectid=13560856&method=full&siteid=50142-name_page.html

Warner Brothers have a go

2003-10-23T16:20:00.000Z

I was contacted and threatened with legal action by Warner Bros for using a picture of Prince Harry smoking a joint in a doctored poster of Harry Potter

The Royal family never complained

http://icnorthwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/regionalnews/tm_objectid=13546262%26method=full%26siteid=50142-name_page.html

Magistrates Court

2003-09-24T16:19:00.000Z

I had to go to court

http://icnorthwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/regionalnews/tm_objectid=13447352%26method=full%26siteid=50142-name_page.html

'Cannabis Cafe' closed

2003-09-15T16:16:00.000Z

No it wasn't!!

http://icnorthwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/regionalnews/tm_objectid=13427382%26method=full%26siteid=50142-name_page.html

Letter to CID Rhyl regarding the raid

2003-09-10T16:09:00.000Z

On Monday, 10/09/2003, I confirmed the offer made by myself to DC Peter Davies on 8/09/03 in writing, I hand delivered the following letter to Detective Inspector Gary Ashton

10th September 2003
DI Ashton
North Wales Police
CID
Rhyl police station
Rhyl
Denbighshire

DI Ashton

On Monday 8th September 2003, I informed DC Peter Davies of Rhyl CID that I DO NOT wish North Wales Police to waste any more public money on raiding the Beggars Belief

Your operation against the Beggars Belief last Saturday was politically motivated. You issued a ‘dubious’ warrant and searched my premises from 11am until 3pm, at 3.02 pm you decide to use a ‘sniffer’ dog to search the premise, why did you not send the dog in first? There are only two possible conclusions, either you did it that way to delay my opening or you are just incompetent.

As burglary detection rates have fallen to 6% it may just be that you are just incompetent, either way DO NOT waste limited resources on the Beggars Belief or speeding motorists. Please try and investigate real crime, try and arrest some dealers of damaging class A drugs or some real criminals

My offer to DC Davies was a serious one, if you want to arrest me for cannabis then please just telephone me and I will at your request visit Rhyl police station with cannabis in my possession. However as your officers cannot tell the difference between cannabis and the legal herb Damiana they may not recognise medicinal cannabis. To arrest me you do not have to use 20 officers (as you did last Saturday) to just put on a good show for the Mayor and the media.

J Ditchfield

http://icnorthwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/regionalnews/tm_objectid=13390714%26method=full%26siteid=50142-name_page.html

Raided on the opening of The Beggars Belief

2003-09-06T16:06:00.000Z

To further the campaign for medicinal cannabis use, on 6th September 2003, I opened a Cannabis Medical Advice Centre, which incorporated a shop selling cannabis seeds (which are legal), and horticultural equipment (also legal) okay it's a growshop!

At 11am, 20 NWP officers appeared and presented me with a search warrant

During the intrusion by NWP, officers removed MS sufferers from the building and expelled them in their wheelchairs into the rain

The police 20 officers searched my premises and the home of my girlfriend. 14 grams of cannabis was found in the glove box of my car and I was arrested.

I was searched, my property removed, photographed, fingerprinted and had samples of my DNA taken. After witnessing an assault on a prisoner by the Custody Sergeant I made an official complaint to a police Inspector.

A police officer advised me that if I had informed the police that the cannabis recovered was for my own personal use then it would have been Iikely that I would have been offered a caution, however I gave a full and frank interview at Rhyl Police station and I explained that I would have willingly and freely given the cannabis to a member of Bud Buddies who requested assistance, I was subsequently charged with possession and ‘intent to supply’

I was released on police bail at 11pm that evening

http://icnorthwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/regionalnews/tm_objectid=13382798%26method=full%26siteid=50142-name_page.html

Cafe going ahead

2003-02-13T16:11:00.000Z

Cannabis cafe 'goes ahead'
Feb 13 2003
Daily Post

A MAN who who walked free from Manchester Crown Court after drug charges were dropped, claimed his plans to open an Amsterdam-style coffee-shop in Rhyl would go ahead.

Jeffrey Ditchfield, of Henllan, near Denbigh, said the decision to drop charges of possessing cannabis with intent to supply gave him the "green light."

"If sick people ask me for cannabis I will give it to them," he said. "I am now even more determined to get the café up and running." "I readily admitted both at magistrates' court and crown court that I did give cannabis choco-late to a quadriplegic, but pleaded not guilty because it was out of medical necessity.

"I was angry when I was told the case was dismissed because I wanted my day in court. I am also annoyed that Manchester police spend so much time and money preparing the case.

"My bill for solicitors and barristers is about £7,000 and that will have to be met by the taxpayer."

http://icnorthwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/regionalnews/tm_objectid=12635472&method=full&siteid=50142-name_page.html

Chester Crown Court - continued

2003-01-16T16:34:00.000Z

Summing up, Mr Recorder Elgan Edwards, who described Ditchfield as a "intelligent and likeable man" said: "It is not your role or mine to decide whether cannabis should be legalised.

Details on the below link

http://icnorthwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/regionalnews/tm_objectid=13823431%26method=full%26siteid=50142-name_page.html

Lecture at John Moores University

2003-01-07T16:05:00.000Z

In January 2003, along with thc4ms, I gave a lecture to over 100 third and fourth year pharmacy students at John Moores University in Liverpool on the application and effects of medicinal cannabis.

Manchester Crown Court

2002-12-28T15:45:00.000Z

The Daily Post reported on 27/12/2002 “But at a pre-trial hearing last week the CPS said they did not intend to pursue the case, but asked for it to remain on the file. However, on Mr Ditchfield's insistence, his barrister objected to the move.”

This article also resulted in further requests for assistance from seriously ill people, as did the article in February 2002, when a pensioner who had read about my arrest in a local newspaper contacted me. He informed me that he grew his own cannabis and if he gave me some could I help others with it. I was in a difficult situation, I did indeed know people who could benefit from good medicinal cannabis, and I knew many people who could benefit from such a donation.

After much deliberation I accepted his kind offer and I have been contacted by similar Good Samaritans since that day.

Also in 2002, I sent my first application for a licence to the Home Office to cultivate cannabis

Arrested and bailed

2002-06-22T17:19:00.000Z

21/06/2004, I was telephoned by NWP and informed that the CPS had requested NWP to arrest and interview me regarding matters arising from Dave’s arrest and my meeting with Inspector Schwarz in March. I was asked to attend Rhyl police station the following day.

On 22/06/2004, I fulfilled my promise in my letter to DI Ashton and I gave an interview and handed in a jar of BB cannabis cream, which is a topical application and a small quantity of cannabis capsules. I was arrested and bailed until 18/08/2004

NWP go to Amsterdam

2002-06-07T16:02:00.000Z

June 2002, North Wales police sent two police officers to Amsterdam to research how the Dutch police handle the issue of policing cannabis, nothing to do with me!

http://icnorthwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/regionalnews/tm_objectid=11932662%26method=full%26siteid=50142-name_page.html

northwalespolice.com

2002-05-28T15:59:00.000Z

In May 2002, there was much media interest from national newspapers and Television companies regarding my purchase of the domain name www.northwalespolice.com which I set up to highlight the injustice of criminalising MS sufferers for consuming cannabis medicinally

http://icnorthwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/regionalnews/tm_objectid=11868798%26method=full%26siteid=50142-name_page.html

Meeting with the Council and the Chief Constable

2002-02-28T14:01:00.000Z

The Chief Constable of North Wales Police, Richard Brunstrom agreed to a meeting, this was reported in the Daily Post (Feb 28 2002 Daily Post)

“Last week, Mr Ditchfield attended a presentation given to Rhyl Town Council by North Wales Police Chief Constable Richard Brunstrom. After the meeting, he approached Mr Brunstrom and asked for a meeting and initially Mr Brunstrom agreed. Mr Ditchfield said: "He agreed to a meeting and referred me to his staff officer who took my address and other details. I expected a meeting to be arranged but was surprised to receive a letter last weekend withdrawing the offer.
"No explanation was given and I am very disappointed that Mr Brunstrom is not able to hear my side of the argument."

http://icnorthwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/regionalnews/tm_objectid=11658924&method=full&siteid=50142-name_page.html

My first arrest

2002-01-29T15:43:00.000Z

29/01/2002 I visited Manchester Crown Court to support MS sufferers who were appearing to answer charges of cannabis possession. In the afternoon outside Court. Patrick Denning a paraplegic and an MS sufferer informed me that he was feeling very poorly and he asked if I could obtain some cannabis for him. I asked some of the other supporters if they could help. I was directed to a gentleman who had some cannabis chocolate which he supplied to MS sufferers, I explained the situation to him and he willingly and freely gave me a piece of chocolate.

As I handed the chocolate to Mr Denning I was arrested by a police officer, I freely admitted in interview what I had done and why I had done it. For the first time in my life I was charged with a criminal offence, I was photographed, searched, I had my fingerprints taken and I had samples of my DNA taken, I was then released on police bail to answer charges of possession of cannabis and possession with intent to supply. The matter proceeded to the Crown Court but the case was never brought as the case was allowed to remain on file. I strongly objected to the charges being allowed to remain on file and was subsequently threatened with contempt of court.

I was charged under the misuse of drugs act, however I did not consider it to be a misuse of a drug to provide it to a fellow human being who was in pain. Most dictionaries describe misuse, as, incorrect or improper use. I believe that when Members of Parliament passed the misuse of drugs act in 1971 they were referring to a misuse of a drug as being a non-medical use. Members of Parliament reclassified cannabis to enable a cannabis medicine to be prescribed by GP’s. This new law will come into effect on 29/01/2004.

70 letters to the good, the bad and the ugly

2002-01-11T13:58:00.000Z

On 11/01/2002, I posted over seventy letters to officials, including the Chief Constable of North Wales police, Town and County Councillors, the MS Society, Members of Parliament, Assembly Members and the Home Office informing that I was willing to provide cannabis for medicinal purposes.

My letter caused a lot of media interest and many seriously ill people seeking assistance contacted me.

2001 The beginning

2001-12-01T13:51:00.000Z

In 2001 a close friend confided in me that she had used cannabis to treat symptoms caused by her MS. Since using cannabis she had relief from pain and the spasticity associated with MS. Cannabis also helped her to regain control of her bladder, this simple function that I took so much for granted enabled her to be confident enough to go out in public and with her new found confidence she managed to restart her career and obtain full time employment.

I was (at first) rather sceptical of her claim to use cannabis for medical reasons. I used the Internet to research cannabis and MS and I was amazed to learn that the prescription of cannabis was only made illegal in 1971. Up until then a Doctor could legally prescribe cannabis. I also learnt that up to 50% of the 88,000 MS sufferers in the UK had used cannabis illegally for relief from this terrible disease.

I conducted extensive research into the subject of medicinal cannabis and discovered that cannabis was beneficial in helping people suffering from symptoms caused by Aids, Asthma, Arthritis, Cancer, Chemotherapy, and Crohn’s Disease, Epilepsy, Glaucoma, IBS, Multiple Sclerosis, Phantom Limb Pain and many other forms of pain. In 5,000 years not one death has been attributed to cannabis consumption, this cannot be said for any other drug or indeed many other substances that are in daily use in the UK.

During the course of my research I read a newspaper article in October 2001 reporting the opening of a ‘cannabis venture’ in Stockport by Colin Davies (a campaigner for medicinal cannabis).

I visited the establishment and I witnessed a police operation, which resulted in a number of seriously ill people (many confined to wheelchairs) being arrested by officers of Greater Manchester police for cannabis offences.

Over the Christmas holiday of 2001 I consulted with members of my family and I decided that I had to do something positive and practical to help further the cause of medicinal cannabis use.