My cannabis ‘hell’ won’t stop others – Jenny Hallam
The case against medicinal cannabis producer Jenny Hallam, released from criminal charges days ago, “backfired” she says — and now more people than ever are seeking it underground.
Law and Order
Don't miss out on the headlines from Law and Order. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Desperate South Aussies seek backyard medicinal cannabis
- SA patients struggle to get hands on legal cannabis
- Jenny Hallam spared jail
- Cannabis oil maker asks court for mercy
Released medicinal cannabis producer Jenny Hallam says the past three years of “hell” fighting drug charges has “backfired” on authorities and would do nothing to curb the backyard practice until the current regulatory scheme is fixed.
She also wants the state government to educate all GPs on the benefits of medicinal cannabis.
Ms Hallam told the Sunday Mail the criminal case brought against her by the South Australian public prosecution had raised public awareness of medicinal cannabis in SA as a treatment option, driving people further underground.
“It backfired because they have martyred me and it has educated people who had no idea about the health benefits of cannabis before this case,” Ms Hallam said.
“They have basically increased demand by 1000 per cent.”
The District Court on Thursday released Ms Hallam on a two-year, $1000 good behaviour bond without a conviction. She was facing 10 years jail for possession, supply and manufacturing a controlled drug after her former Hillier home was raided by police in 2017.
Ms Hallam said people would continue to produce medicinal cannabis illegally while there was demand due to a “broken” regulatory system that is difficult to access and relied on GP sanction.
A special report by the Sunday Mail last month revealed SA doctors were among the least likely in the nation to prescribe medicinal cannabis, leaving desperate South Australians to source it illegally.
She said the state government needed to back a medicinal cannabis education program for doctors and GPs, and the federal government must remove cannabis from the authority of Therapeutic Goods Administration.
The 47-year-old is now boarding in the Adelaide Hills. She said she has lost $25,000 fighting the criminal charges – money she was saving for a house deposit, had suffered ill health and received numerous threatening phone calls, texts and messages – one left on the windscreen of her car.
“It has been hell – the worst experience of my life. It has had a massive effect on me physically.”
She has vowed not to manufacture medicinal cannabis illegally and is considering walking away from the industry to concentrate on caring for injured and orphaned wildlife, like Peanut, Bean, Belle and Poppet (pictured).
“I wouldn’t have made it through if it wasn’t for them,” she says of the joeys.
“I was suicidal – I didn’t want to be here. It had gotten too much.”
If you or anyone you know needs help, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.