THE Crown Prosecution Service could review the case of a man who supplied cannabis to his terminally ill wife to help ease her suffering.

Alan Blythe, 53, was arrested after police discovered he was growing cannabis plants in a spare room at his home.

Mr Blythe appeared before magistrates in Runcorn on Friday charged with the supply, possession and production of the drug.

The court heard his wife, Judith, had suffered from multiple sclerosis for 14 years and the drug had a "substantial beneficial effect" on her condition.

Paul Thompson, defending, told the court Mr Blythe accepted the charge on the basis that he only supplied the drug for his wife's use and not for commercial gain.

But, he said, the case against Mr Blythe should be thrown out on the grounds of medical necessity.

He added: "Recently, the Home Secretary's son was given a caution by police for being engaged in the commercial supply of cannabis.

"Mr Blythe's wife suffers from a condition which is greatly relieved by the use of cannabis and this is the only reason he is in court.

"Last year, a similar case reached the first day of trial before the CPS withdrew the charges.

"It is important the public are aware of what recently has been a double standard."

Mr Thompson added that a leading international researcher on the effects of cannabis had lent his weight to the medical argument for the use of the drug by MS sufferers.

Dr Roger Pertwee, from the bio-medical science department of Aberdeen University, has proposed medical trials to allow him to supply to those in need.

Mr Thompson continued: "Dr Pertwee's conclusions have been sent to the CPS for their consideration.

"I am deeply concerned that they made the decision to proceed and I ask them to review their choice as quickly as possible, taking into account the weight of medical evidence."

Jennifer Leeming for the CPS said: "I will convey Mr Thompson's remarks to those prosecuting the case.

"I can assure him the process of reviewing files is a continuing one."

Reporting restrictions were lifted and Mr Blythe was given unconditional bail to appear at Warrington Crown Court on February 2 for a plea and directions hearing.

Speaking outside the court, Mr Blythe told how his wife's condition had improved dramatically since she started using cannabis.

Father-of-two Mr Blythe said: "Judith was suicidal before she found the drug.

"I can't emphasise the change in her since I first gave her some six years ago.

"In the first eight years after she was diagnosed she could not cook or iron, or do any of the things one takes for granted, because the disease affected her balance.

"But the drug has had an incredible effect on her.

"She can do these things and her quality of life has been greatly improved.

"While I do not want to break the law, she feels that without cannabis her life would be one hardly worth living and so I have no choice."

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