Dr. Andrew Katelaris...edit - not QBL related, page-3

JURY found renowned medicinal cannabis practitioner Dr Andrew Katelaris not guilty on a number of very serious charges relating to the supply and manufacture of cannabis medicines.

Representing himself in court, Dr Katelaris argued a defence of medical necessity, meaning that his patients’ needs were so dire that it was necessary for him to break the law, so he could provide them with life-saving cannabis medicine.

This is a victory not only for the doctor, but for cannabis medicine producers and patients throughout the state, as a precedent has been set for future cases where cannabis medicine production is being prosecuted.

NSW police raided Dr Katelaris’ house in May last year, after he appeared on television and in a calculated act of civil disobedience, revealed his clandestine medicinal cannabis laboratory to the entire nation.

It took the jury at the Downing Centre District Court less than an hour to acquit the doctor on seven charges, which included the supply and manufacture of a large commercial quantity of cannabis oil. Both of these offences carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

A cannabis pioneer

Dr Katelaris’ involvement with cannabis started in the early 90s when he began importing hemp for the manufacture of clothing.

He was granted the first NSW industrial hemp licence in 1997, and in 2001, he was issued with a licence to grow plants for medical research.

Over later years, the doctor began providing medicinal cannabis to patients, including children with serious seizure disorders like intractable epilepsy.

He found that this illicit medicine is able to provide those in need with a quality of life that traditional western medicines can’t.

Dr Katelaris remarked a few years back that once he saw the effects of what he was doing and “the clear superiority of cannabis therapeutics” he couldn’t turn back.

He also made clear that he’d be mad not to supply the medicine to kids with serious diseases.And it’s not the first time that Dr Katelaris has put himself on the line for the herb.

Back in 2005, he went before the court over the cultivation of 48,000 plants. At the time, he was told he could be locked up for 20 years, but in the end, he walked away with a one year good behaviour.