Doctor lashes out after drugs conviction

[Tom]

ALREADY facing possible charges of contempt of court, a Sydney doctor who grew almost 50,000 cannabis plants has verbally attacked police, the courts and his conviction.

 

Dr Andrew John Katelaris was convicted on March 8 this year of one count of cultivating not less than a large commercial quantity of cannabis.

 

He was given a three-year good behaviour bond by Judge Ralph Coolahan when he appeared in the NSW District Court in Newcastle today.

 

But Judge Coolahan said he was referring another matter, in which Katelaris accused a jury of being ignorant and referred to them as "sheep", for consideration of charges of contempt.

 

Outside court following his conviction, and despite pleas from both his barrister and sister not to speak to the media, Katelaris said the courts and police had "behaved very poorly".

 

As he spoke, he held a sign with the name of a pro-cannabis website.

 

When asked what he thought of his good behaviour bond, Katelaris said: "You don't expect this sort of treatment".

 

"I think I was behaving in the last three years very well," Katelaris said.

 

"It has been the courts and the police that have behaved very poorly. It's a foolish decision by a foolish process."

 

Katelaris grew the cannabis plants on his property at Salisbury, near Dungog in the NSW Hunter Valley.

 

He bought the property in early 2004 and was found to have grown the commercial-sized crop between December 2004 and January 2005. At no time did he deny growing the crop nor did he try to conceal it.

 

Laboratory tests revealed the plants were of low tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content. THC is the ingredient that makes cannabis potent as a drug.

 

The court accepted the cannabis had no value as a drug.

 

After a six-day trial in March, Katelaris was found guilty by a jury of growing the crop without a licence.

 

When the jury handed down its decision, Katelaris told them: "Regrettably the next generation will suffer from your ignorance".

 

He later described the jury to the media as sheep.

 

Judge Coolahan, during sentencing today, brought up the incident and said he would refer the matter to the Registrar of the NSW Court of Appeal for consideration of charges against Katelaris for contempt.

 

Katelaris told reporters today he had spent a great deal of time developing an industrial form of hemp to benefit the state of NSW.

 

"If anyone out there in TV land is still alive, have a look at the website. The war against industrial hemp is a war against the planet."

 

He said that as long as the "temperature of this atmosphere is increasing and the oceans are rising" his work in promoting industrial hemp would not end.

 

At one stage Katelaris' sister tried to drag him away from the media, saying her brother was determined to "work within the law in the future".

 

During the trial Katelaris had told the court the crop was for scientific research, and that the study of industrial hemp could solve environmental problems.

 

In December 2005, the NSW Medical Tribunal revoked Katelaris' licence to practice as a medical practitioner in NSW for three years.

 

The tribunal suspended him over the self-administration of cannabis and supplying it to some patients.

 

Author:The Australian

Date:September 28, 2006

Source:The Australian

Copyright:© The Australian

 

[420Downunder]

The truely sad thing is he's absolutley right in everything he says, Hemp is such an incredibly useful crop and the sheer stupidity of not using it is beyond madness.

[Pa-uul]

Well, I think it's a bit weird that he attacked the jury. What can they do? I don't think in Australia juries can interpret the law as well as the case, can they? On the other hand, it is a good message and he is very brave for expressing it in a court of law - one of the most oppresive and intimidating places around! I guess it's good publicity for his cause.

[Bundy]

the jury could have let it go

[two2time]

or maybe put a rocket up them ...go DR Pot

 

 

 

tt

[WantDaChronic]

fucking good on him for lashing out to the media, i just wish i was there to see it

[torture]

yep... i second that... would be great to find a way to help people like this man... guy deserves a fucking medal... and he is right... the next generation will suffer from their ignorance

[Brash]

...

As he spoke, he held a sign with the name of a pro-cannabis website.

 

...

Andrew's website

[Budman2012]

Cheerz Tom , and Thx to Brash for that link ...

 

It really Is sad ... I don't know if I have anymore to say than that ...

I am so dissapointed at the powers that be for letting these absurd persecutions continue ...

It's just so plainly obvious what is right .. and what is deluded ... especially regarding this particular 'case' ..

Damn

 

Good on him for standing strong

 

I would too , as should anyone .. don't take these things lightly ...

Make a fuss , a really big fuss if you belive what you are doing is harmless ...

These are my beliefs , and even the simple act of discussing why It's unjust (If It is) is worth the continued abuse of human rights ...

 

 

The Fucken system is out of line ...

They are not helping society with their inhumane approach ...

This is no longer the dark ages ... But if it were .. then all of those unrighteous pigz would have alot more blood on their hands to show for their ignorance ...

And until they decide to submit to truth ... I guess we will have to accept this genocide ... and I do not think I am being overly dramatic at all ...

Also , I still believe that there are enough dedicated Cannabis Advocates (warriors) on this world to be able to overcome the wicked power that tries to enslave us all ...

 

Fight the Power That Be or just ignore em ...

 

Budman

[pipeman]

someone correct me if I'm wrong, but this whole issue was caused because the good dr was too bloody minded to bother getting a hemp license. There is provision under the law to grow hemp, and the sale of it is not only legal but unrestricted. Just fill out some forms and pay the fee ffs.