The conviction of three people found guilty of supplying thousands of cannabis-laced chocolate bars to people with multiple sclerosis for pain relief has been slammed by a charity dedicated to people affected by the disease.

Lawrence Wood, Chief Executive of the Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre {MSRC} charity, said after the judgement at Carlisle Crown Court: 'Although we are unable to condone breaking the law we are in a position to point out when the law is an ass.

'The three people convicted of supplying cannabis have been providing a vital service to many people affected by multiple sclerosis for whom nothing else but cannabis would act as a relief for the pain, spasms or other symptoms they used it to treat.

'MSRC has been covering this story for a number of years and have always felt it preferable for people to obtain their cannabis in this way rather than from the streets where quality and safety remains an issue.

'The hypocrisy of a society that allows possession for personal use without then explaining where it can be obtained safely is obvious. The fact that people can drink themselves stupid and not be breaking the law but are denied the use of cannabis which they would use in very small quantities is also a farce.

'If the government had licensed Sativex, a cannabis-based drug recently developed by GW Pharmaceuticals, and made it easily available (it is licensed in Canada and can be imported through complicated arrangements by doctors for individual patients, though this hardly ever happens), then these people would not have needed to supply in this way.

'When pop and celebrity stars only receive minor fines for repeated possession and yet those affected by MS are forced once again to get their cannabis from the street dealers in order to make their lives bearable, it is time for society to take a long hard look at itself.'