Thursday, March 15, 2012 - Peter Reynolds

Dodgy Solicitors Roberts Jackson Chasing The Cannabis Ambulance

Karen Jackson Of Roberts Jackson. And Your Explanation Is...?

The rise in ambulance chasing solicitors has to be one of the most destructive, morally repugnant, despicable trends in British society. These people who hold themselves up as an example of honour and integrity are often exactly the opposite. Claims for damages for whiplash have reached record levels in Britain as unscrupulous solicitors have encouraged clients to present dubious evidence to secure insurance payouts which result in massive premium increases for the rest of us.

Roberts Jackson, a firm of solicitors from Wilmslow, Cheshire, has taken this practice to new heights of dishonesty with its ridiculous idea of claiming for health problems related to cannabis.

The story appeared in a blatant advertorial in the Manchester Evening News.

I have made a complaint to the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

—– Original Message —–
From: Peter Reynolds
To: report@sra.org.uk
Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2012 6:55 PM
Subject: Complaint concerning Roberts Jackson Solicitors

Dear Sirs,

I wish to make a complaint concerning the above firm of solicitors.

I make the complaint on my own account but also in my capacity as the Leader of Cannabis Law Reform (CLEAR), a registered UK political party, of P.O.Box 674, Salfords, Redhill, RH1 9BN. For the purposes of correspondence, please use my personal address as below.

An article was published in the Manchester Evening News today, 15th March 2012, headlined “Law firm Roberts Jackson predicts ‘cannabis claims’”. It is still available online: http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/business/professionals/s/1488299_law-firm-roberts-jackson-predicts-cannabis-claims

The same article is also published on the Roberts Jackson website: http://www.robertsjacksonclaims.co.uk/news-article.aspx

The article says that Roberts Jackson “…is predicting a rise in claims from people exposed to cannabis in their working environment…already represents clients who have been exposed to a hazardous substance found in the class B drug. Called tetrahydrocannabinol, it is known to cause a number of health problems, including nasal and congestion conditions.”

These claims about cannabis are false. There is no truth in them whatsoever. They are a deception, constructed in order to solicit false claims for damages. They amount to a clear intent to defraud insurance companies. As such, the partners in Roberts Jackson are guilty of gross professional misconduct and their practising certificates should be withdrawn. They bring the whole of the legal profession into disrepute.

This is an example of the very worst kind of “ambulance chasing”. Not only is it an exploitative and dishonest attempt to gain financial reward but there is no medical or scientific evidence on which such claims could be based.

It is inaccurate and misleading to describe cannabis or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) as “hazardous”. The scientific measure of toxicity, the “therapeutic ratio” of cannabis is between 1:20000 to 1:40000. In comparison, the therapeutic ratio of alcohol is 1:20, of paracetamol 1:30.

THC is the principal psychoactive ingredient of cannabis although only one of more than 400 compounds present in the plant. There is no evidence at all that THC causes any health problems, particularly not “nasal and congestion conditions”. On the contrary, THC is a therapeutic agent and cannabis acts as a bronchodilator, alleviating congestion problems.

I would be grateful if you would deal with this complaint at your earliest convenience. It is, of course, for Roberts Jackson to provide any scientific evidence in support of its claims. I will be happy to provide any further information required.

Yours faithfully,

Peter Reynolds

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Patricia Allen

If this happened the US, they would be laughed out of court and likely disbarred. There is so much evidence proving that Cannabis is of great benefit to people with asthma, emphysema, COPD, sleep apnea, and the list goes on, primarily relating to anti-inflammatory properties. Great response, Peter. Just my American point of view and support for holding them accountable for unethical behavior.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=548930761 Gearóid O Machain

disgraceful carry on in this day and age, this is 2012 people and not 1912 ffs!!
Anonymous

I was just about to ask if there was some sort of ombudsman that could bring these lawyers to account when I realised I had the power of google at my finger tips! I’ve found this:
http://www.legalombudsman.org.uk/ They're impartial and seem like this is right up their ally. Also, and most importantly, it’s free. Maybe it’s worth getting them on this?
http://www.facebook.com/people/Maharg-Smith/831904195 Maharg Smith

letter sent telling them about sativex oralmucosal today no reply as yet
Patricia Allen

Sativex is not available in all post codes. There is a post code lottery that prevents patients from gaining access to Sativex. The point is to allow qualified medical users the right to grow for themselves without fear of arrest. The money spent on litigation is a waste of the taxpayer’s money, as well. Please post any reply you receive, it you get one at all.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Maharg-Smith/831904195 Maharg Smith

the point of my letter pat was to put them in the position of having to justify their wild scaremongering about something which is applied by mouthspray..? with you one hundred percent on all the points you make
Patricia Allen

Thank you, and I am looking forward to their response. I learned about the post code lottery thru one of the links on Peter Reynold’s Facebook page, and chose to post my response here rather than simply on his wall. I agree that this is scare-mongering, and I find it despicable. I also must note that I don’t believe this kind of legal battle would ever take place in the United States, regardless of medical or recreational use, which has been decriminalized for under one to two ounces in many yet to be medically legal states, Massachusetts, my home state, being one.
Anonymous

I can’t help but thinking, they already know all this..

Two more things come to mind:
1) ‘All publicity is good publicity’ in their, obviously affected, minds;
Our letters ARE provoking an effect, but no matter how many scenarios I go through, it seems not to be enough; keep ‘em coming, though – who can tell for sure..

2) ‘Chinese Finger Trap’ – I would suggest either to ‘embrace our enemy’ and maybe find a cordial solution or, if this turns out to be like talking to a brick wall (which seems to be the situation), to simply try a different approach elsewhere – with everyday folk; for THEY may be willing to settle for a different accommodation, which doesn’t involve large sums of money or any kind of bribery..
Patricia Allen

I believe that (“everyday folk”) was the point in Peter’s posting this atrocity on his Facebook wall. I believe response posts here are on a more serious level. Glad to see your comment. Enjoyed the “Chinese Finger Trap” reference. Enjoyed those as a kid. :-)
Anonymous

I am referring to people like mothers, police, most doctors and even kids (by convincing them to stay off drugs, at least ’till they’re 18), etc.
I believe most of them wouldn’t go to, and stay on, a pro-cannabis site by chance..
Gotta think of some cheap ways of getting the information to them! (gently, but permanently)
edith: ‘There is no such thing as public opinion. There is only PUBLISHED opinion.’ –Churchill
Patricia Allen

And then there are patients who have known success without pharmaceutical poisons. May I suggest simply discussing it with your friends and co-workers…and I find nothing wrong with mild use of edibles by autistic children, for example. There is a known benefit for children with brain tumors, as well. I write in the first-person, so this is my opinion, but it’s based on 20+ years of research. For instance, if a child is traumatized, would it not be better to treat them with a little strain-suitable Cannabis than an anti-anxiety, addictive drug like Klonopin. Here in the states pregnant women and nursing mothers are encouraged to use Cannabis. In the days when I was having children it was unheard of. I personally witnessed my teens first toke, to make sure they weren’t total idiots on the stuff or had a bad reaction. I knew they were going to try it. I was a responsible parent, and they appreciate that bond we created. After all, I didn’t want them sneaking around and lying to me. Be as honest and sincere with your friends as possible. Anyone can donate to CLEAR-UK without fear of persecution. Is a small amount of money and a forum like this not worth it? This page is not Facebook. And Facebook appears to have backed off from blocking Cannabis-related pages this year.
Anonymous

If I did give the impression that I had friends, I do apologize. =)
Since my colleagues in the past were lawyers, journalists and programmers, they all had very distinct, but fundamentally different views, heavily influenced by their corresponding social groups..(go figure)
X years of research pale in comparison to the recent advances, made in medicine, just looking back on the past 8. Scientific progress increases almost exponentially each year.

Terminal illness, indifferent of a patient’s age, is one thing – I would be delighted to see the research data, by which standards ANY medic would ‘encourage’ (or even endorse) the use of a drug with (still) so many unpredictabilities. Is it safer than SOME alternatives? Sure!
However, the fact that it’s relatively impossible to die from it, doesn’t make it the safest thing on earth.

‘I knew they were going to try it’, to me, only means that You were afraid they might. I highly doubt anyone can discern human behavior to the level of predicting it.

I am certain that any form of drug in the system of a not-yet-fully developed human – under 25, that is – is unrewarding, to say the least…
Like I managed to grow up with a lot of psychological problems and not touch drugs until I was 21, so could others.

The CAUSE of traumas and mistrust can be found (almost exclusively) in a child’s first 6-7 years of development and should be treated primarily, before looking to ameliorate those EFFECTS.
Having success after that, can be quite hard – let me put it in a different context: When the doctor gives a lolly to a child after the latter has received an injection, it will ‘make it better’ – but the PAIN will linger.

Regarding to You, being a reasonable parent – I don’t know You, really; What I do know is that ‘there isn’t just one way to skin a cat’.
Patricia Allen

No wonder you don’t have friends. A closed mind will get you nowhere. Here in the states we know better. I refuse to enter an argument with an unarmed person. Period.
Anonymous

Disgraceful poorly informed nonsense from Roberts’ firm. She is a sick greedy unethical pig to promulgate this misinformation.
Anonymous

I wonder how feasible it would be to send the publishers of all articles (that you send a PCC submission), a letter (or E-mail) stating that they must publish a full retraction (including a paragraph of truth from CLEAR). Or Clear will seek legal remidies (including any costs incurred after the initial letter/E-mail).

I know it could/would get expensive, but it might have more of an impact than just the PCC complaint.
Patricia Allen

Rupert, I can help to educate you on the many uses and benefits of Cannabis. Please know that the majority off “professionals” may well be Cannabis users, albeit discretely out of fear of being condemnation by people like you, for instance, who instead of asking or posing questions and learning, choose to insult me as a mother and decide who qualifies for Cannabis based on your uneducated opinion. All teens want to try Cannabis. This has been going on for ages. My grandmother, born in 1896, was a “reefer” smoker, as well as suffragette and supporter of birth control rights when women were treated as a minority. She was a successful businesswoman who was far beyond her times, and I hold her memory in high regard. I have always believed that Cannabis is not a drug, and I will never classify it as so. It is also, I must stress, a preventative measure for restoring health cell growth. One should not have to become terminally ill in order to benefit from using Cannabis. In short, it is saving my life, as I have a genetic predisposition to cancer which was set off by exposure to PCBs when I lived in Pittsfield, Massachusetts in the early 90s to late 90s. General Electric’s Transformer Division had dumped their toxic waste all over the small city of Pittsfield, and I witnessed many coworkers die from cancer. My backyard was “filled” with PCBs, as I had bought the division’s manager’s home, which was built in 1923. The fill at that time was never deemed toxic. It was unkind of you to question my parenting, as I felt it was my responsibility to educate my teens as to the benefits and possible negative effects. Some people do have an aversion to Cannabis. I did not “fear” them trying it; I wanted to be sure I was close to them and kept them well-informed of what was toxic – as in Mexican Cannabis laced with pesticides, or possibly altered or “laced” Cannabis they might come across unknowingly. Educating them was the best I could do as a mother, and now, as adults, they respect me for being honest with them. To have let them go off to experiment would have been the more irresponsible route for a parent and Cannabis user (not abuser). Wake up and realize that the majority of teens are indeed curious, and it has nothing to do with parenting poorly or properly; it is simply addressing the issue with respect for them, and my willingness to be open with them regarding the side effects, as well as understanding that there are times when it is not appropriate. I did not mean to antagonize you, but when you questioned my parenting skills, I was very disturbed by your allegations and lack of understanding. Perhaps now you will reconsider posting hurtful accusations in the future. I base my knowledge on fact, not opinion. I am not a fan of Churchill, and I use quotations in proper context. I do not believe that quote was relevant to this discussion. Peace.
Anonymous

Oh, so You don’t like to be patronized, either? Well, I don’t like, being spoken down upon incognizantly.
Here are two more quotes for Your consideration:

‘The only way for you to truly know is to find out for yourself through direct experience.’ –Robert A. Monroe

I am researching Cannabis for it’s beneficial uses at present – in a LABORATORY, not a basement.
I have also been enjoying it for the last 4 years and am currently attempting to prove that dependency takes place in the mind, not the body – thusly am not using it atm.

Did I specify otherwise anywhere?
Which brings me to:

‘With great power, comes great responsibility..’ –Voltaire

Just because it turned out well from Your viewpoint, doesn’t necessarily mean that it can be applied to everyone else.
I stand by what I’ve said earlier, more-so, I daresay that Your kind of mentality is precisely what’s keeping the Herb in illegality…
Patricia Allen

I give up. You are half my age with less than half my knowledge base. I attempted to make peace with you, and you remain as concrete as a statue, and of little use to this campaign. No, I am not why it is illegal, and I suggest you ask the Wizard of Oz for a brain. Perhaps he will show mercy upon you, as at that point, I cannot. Please refrain from commenting further. I am entitled to the last word here.
Anonymous

Answer me this first, if You may – I’m curious:

Why DO You think that MJ is illegal?
Not because lawmakers could- and do – argue, that it would represent an extra liability to society?

I promise not to ruin Your day any further after that. =)
Anonymous

Its illegality is more to do with Egyptian cotton farmers in 1924 than any lawmaker or liability to society Rupert.
Anonymous

If You are referring to the Geneva Opiates Conference, which led to the stipulation of the Dangerous Drugs Act in 1925, I do not see Your point. This was manly targeting manufacture (and trade) of hemp for OTHER than scientific and medical purpose..
So how does this relate to medical marijuana in 2012?

(btw, since ’71, it’s basically the Home Secretary who gives the final judgment in licensing)
http://www.facebook.com/people/Maharg-Smith/831904195 Maharg Smith

discussion with you rupert is like playing chess with a pigeon…first you knock all the pieces over then you shit all over the board and then you fly of to tell everyone you have won
Patricia Allen

Very well written, indeed, Mr. Smith!
Anonymous

Nice of you to admit, I’m a better chess player than you..though we haven’t played..nor discussed..
I have won nothing, expect the experience, not to confront fundamentalists with their own reality..

All I’ve read, were jibes about my puny brain and cryptic lines with a mysterious, hidden meaning. At the least, I can BACK everything I’m saying UP with factual and recent knowledge and references to actual studies (please don’t make me prove this to you..); the saddest part being, that It’s au fond a SUPPORTING perspective..
How is ‘the little’ I’m providing, not MORE constructive, than what you are offering?

Your ‘vast’ knowledge..is worth nothing, if you are too lazy to back up, what you’re saying..with MORE than just your WORD, at all times.
You better start coming up with PALPABLE SOLUTIONS; just in case you really WANT weed to be legal.. – for in this state of ignorance and irresponsibility, you can continue hoping. (like I continue hoping, that it’s just like that in THE states.)

Pigeon Out.
Anonymous

Absolutely pointless debating with a pigeon who cannot read – over and out.
http://profile.yahoo.com/WAL6PWANKTBVWZXRZ2AP3JDHYY Lucky Cat

Completely unrelated but I dont do facebook :)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2115413/Dying-cancer-patient-kicked-hospital-smoking-medical-marijuana.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

incredible and the hospital is worthy of clears attention.. if anyone can put these so called health professionals on the spot and make them accountable then its you guys… here is the contact link for the bastards who allowed the above to happen.

go get em.

https://www.ucsfhealth.org/contact_us/index.html

Dodgy Solicitors Roberts Jackson Chasing The Cannabis Ambulance

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