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Clark French is campaigning for cannabis to be legalised
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Medical cannabis user says drug should be legalised

By Laura McCardle
September 27, 2012

A multiple sclerosis sufferer who saw a dramatic improvement in his symptoms after using cannabis is calling for the drug to be legalised.

Clark French, of Sutcliffe Avenue, Earley, shared his views when he appeared on Channel 4’s 4Thought last night.

The 26-year-old was diagnosed with MS in August 2010 while he was studying ancient history and archeology at The University of Reading. His symptoms were so bad he had to use a walking stick and was forced to quit his degree.

Mr French said: “It meant I couldn’t walk, I would slur my speech, I would have bladder and bowel problems. It destroyed my life, I couldn’t do anything.

“There’s a treatment which is usually given to people who have had MS for over 10 years, I was offered that when I was diagnosed which was pretty unheard of.”

Last year Mr French flew out to California, where medicinal use of the drug is legal, and underwent a cannabis based treatment which changed his life.

He said: “I got a doctor’s appointment and access to medical cannabis. I used cannabis oil and I’ve not used my walking stick since. It’s increased my quality of life drastically. For the first week I just slept a lot and after that I was with some friends and I was climbing up a cliff, something that I wouldn’t normally have been able to do.

“I was like ‘wow, this is instantly changing how I’m feeling, my pain levels and movement’. I think most people wouldn’t know I’ve got MS unless I’ve told them.”

Using the drug enabled Mr Clark to return to university to complete his degree and he is now campaigning for cannabis to be made legal so those who use it for medicinal purposes will not face criminal conviction.

Mr Clark, who founded the Berkshire Cannabis Community activist group, said: “Given my health or the law, I’m choosing my health. I have been able to come off a lot of prescription medication by using cannabis and I have a much better quality of life.

“What the doctor will give me for pain is one molecular link away from heroin but I’m not allowed to use a plant that’s safe. Berkshire Cannabis Community had our third meeting last week and it went really well. Everyone wants to get involved and change the law. At the moment we’re trying to speak to all the Berkshire MPs. I’m not saying everyone should be using cannabis. But people shouldn’t be put in prison. That just puts it underground and in the hands of criminals who make loads of money from it.”

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Most recent user comments 4 of 4

Why does making cannabis available for medical use have to involve making it freely available to everyone. Yes make it available to those who medically need it on prescription, but the dangers of making generally available are far too high for this to be even contemplated.

PoneRana, Wokingham
01/10/2012 at 13:15

It is one of the most commonly used drugs in this country, and how often do we hear a bad story about it - how many 'stoned' people ever started a bar fight, killed someone by dangerous driving, assaulted a nurse etc.?

Legalise it, control it, tax it; that'll make it 'safer' (not that's it's particularly un-safe right now), drive out the criminal organisations that set up cannabis farms on residential streets, free the police from having to slap wrists, collect a revenue, use the plants to produce paper (I believe it is a better paper producer than paper from trees)... really, what is the counter-argument?

The hypocrisy of being able to buy alcohol for pennies in any off-licence or supermarket but treating cannabis like a dangerous drug astounds me.

Damiano_Tommassi, Wokingham
27/09/2012 at 16:48

Clark is an extremely brave and eloquent young man who is a great advertisement for our cause. He achieves far more with this sort of responsible and effective publicjty than when he is led astray by others into brandishing huge joints and playing the anti-establishment game. That way achieves nothing except to set up cannabis users as rebels and lawbreakers. This sort of intelligent and thoughtful communication is the way forward.

We need to stop this stupid and unwinnable war against cannabis. It is causing far more harm to our communities than it prevents. If we had a properly regulated system of production and supply, doctors would be able to prescribe one of the most effective medicines that has no serious side effects at all. At the moment the government has given GW Pharmaceuticals an unlawful monopoly on cannabis so they make millions out of a medicine that you can grow in your greenhouse for virtually nothing.

With a legally regulated system we'd have no more illegal cannabis farms, instead we'd have thousands of new jobs. We'd have no more dealers on the streets. Cannabis would be available to adults only through licensed outlets and we'd have some control over the THC and CBD content.

A regulated system would solve nearly all the problems around cannabis. Science proves how much safer it is than tobacco, alcohol, prescription medicines and all other psychoactive drugs. If anyone does have a problem with it they could get help without having to confess to a crime.

CLEAR published independent, expert research last year which shows that a tax and regulate policy on cannabis would produce a net gain to the UK economy of up to £9.3 billion per annum.

It is a scandal that our government, our judges, our courts, our police and our newspapers keep misleading us about cannabis. Find out the truth for yourself and wake up to the lies you have been told.

Peter Reynolds
27/09/2012 at 12:54

My extensive reading into the benefits of CANNABINOIDS has led me to agree that there is no chemical treatment for neuropathic pain. I have been on STOPAYNE, LYRICA, CARBAMAZEPINE, for this medical condition and they do NOT work! Please make MEDICAL CANNABIS legal in South Africa too!