Man tells court cannabis 'cured his cancer'

Eyebrows were raised in court this afternoon, when an Italian man told a magistrate that cannabis had cured him from cancer.

Inspector Jonathan Cassar arraigned 37-year-old Italian man Marko Petti on charges of cannabis cultivation and possession.

Cassar told Magistrate Josette Demicoli that the accused, who lives in Birkirkara, had refused to consult a lawyer during interrogation.

Lawyer Martin Fenech, appearing as legal aid to the accused, explained the charges to him.

“I am guilty of cultivating cannabis for my treatment,” replied the Italian. “I don’t smoke it, I make biscuits and butter with the extract. I don’t smoke it, I know it’s illegal but the most important thing is that I stay alive. I am not stupid,” he replied.

The accused explained that he had been diagnosed with cancer in the past and had cultivated the plants as part of his treatment. Over time the tumour disappeared, claimed the man.

“I had gone to a doctor in America and he had opened my mind to the realisation that these natural remedies were better than chemotherapy. In fact I did not use chemo or pills for the tumour. I am still alive today.”

The inspector confirmed that the accused had said the same thing in his statement.

Inspector Cassar said that a prison sentence was ideal as the man “is an expert in cannabis cultivation” and because it was clear that upon release, Petti would resume his activities.

Asked by the court, the inspector conceded that the investigation had showed that Petti was growing marijuana solely for his personal consumption.

The court sentenced Petti to six months' imprisonment and fined him €450. The magistrate ordered that the prison authorities grant him access to whatever treatment he needs.