The Nelson mother of teenager Alex Renton, who was given medicinal cannabis in hospital before he died, is facing cannabis-related charges.
Medicinal cannabis advocate Rose Renton appeared in the Nelson District Court this morning on three charges of possessing and supplying a Class B drug, namely Cannabidiol, as well as cultivating a cannabis plant.
It being her first appearance in court, Renton entered no plea.
The maximum penalty of the charges range from seven to 14 years' imprisonment.
The 44-year-old’s lawyer, Sue Grey, described Renton as "another Green Fairy", helping hospice patients and others with chronic pain.
"The recent prosecution of at least three Green Fairies by the NZ Police is a tragedy for hundreds of sick and dying New Zealanders and their caregivers as their medicine has been seized by police." Ms Grey said.
Over 17,500 people have put their names towards a petition demanding sick people be allowed to use cannabis.
Renton presented a petition to parliament earlier this year seeking the legalisation of medical cannabis in New Zealand.
She will make her second appearance in court next month.
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