Leafie UK reports
A Leeds man who supplied illegal cannabis products to help people suffering from illness has avoided jail after a judge acknowledged his products had “given people hope”.
Joel Cunningham, 40, was found guilty at Leeds Crown Court of conspiracy to supply a Class B drug, among other offences, after police uncovered his operation trading in cannabis-based oils, creams and vapes.
Judge Neil Clark described it as a “highly unusual” case, noting that the motivation was to help people rather than make a profit. He admitted there had been no evidence of harm caused to customers and accepted that Cunningham “genuinely believed the products work”.
Cunningham received an 18-month jail sentence, suspended for 12 months, and was ordered to carry out 160 hours of unpaid work.
Cunningham’s case had attracted significant support, with members of the public protesting during his trial. A petition on Change.org highlighting his work providing cannabis oil to individuals suffering from chronic pain, life-threatening illnesses, and severe epilepsy gained over 3,500 signatures. One signee Kirsty, from Shipley, wrote that “Joel was amazing when my husband was diagnosed with Ewings sarcoma at just aged 26! He came to see us, wouldn’t charge for the oil and sat and talked with us all day… The oil meant he was relatively pain free and still able to have some quality of life. We even used the balm on his tumours and this helped with the pain so much.”
Police began their investigation in May 2021 after a child in hospital had been given cannabis oil by their parents, though this was not the reason reported for the child’s hospitalisation. A police search of the parents’ phone led them to Cunningham’s business venture.
Cunningham, of Wakefield Road, Drighlington, said he conducted in-depth research into cannabis benefits after feeling it helped relieve his grandmother’s pain in the years prior to her death. He initially provided products free of charge, later charging only those who could afford to pay.
Leeds man avoids jail for supplying cannabis to ill patients
