Many arthritis-sufferers have admitted using cannabis

Pamela Penfold, 62, of Abertridwr, near Caerphilly, south Wales, was released after the judge heard she was giving the drug to ex-miner Bill Harris in his battle against pain.

Penfold admitted to possessing cannabis with intent to supply. She was given a 12 month community rehabilitation order and ordered to pay £50 costs.

Prosecutor Morgan Jenkins said police went to Mr Harris' home and found Penfold trying to get rid of the drug.

"She had nine separate blocks of cannabis in a money belt, worth a total of £360. She also had something in the range of £180 in her bra at the time."

When the drug is in that quantity, with intent to supply it to someone else people normally go to prison Judge Robin Spencer QC

The court heard widow Penfold became close to Mr Harris after her husband died.

Eugene Egan, defending, said: "She was drip-feeding Mr Harris small amounts. He was a collier and, as a result of working underground, he is now not in the best of health and has arthritis problems.

Penfold admitted possessing cannabis with intent to supply.

Judge Robin Spencer QC gave her a 12 month community rehabilitation order and ordered her to pay £50 costs.

He told Penfold: "This is an unusual case. When the drug is in that quantity, with intent to supply it to someone else people normally go to prison.

"Sometimes people think taking cannabis can be excused if it is for health reasons.

Darren Pritchard: Cannabis relieves 'mentally and physically'

"But that is not the law and people who do take cannabis for that reason can be dealt with in the same way as anybody else. The probation service will help you to think through problems so you don't get into this sort of pickle again."

Last month, a severely disabled man from south Wales said he would continue to smoke cannabis to relieve his pain, after criminal charges against him were dropped.

Darren Pritchard, from Magor near Chepstow, says the law should be changed to allow ill people to use the drug to cope with their condition.

He was cleared after the prosecution offered no evidence in the case at Cardiff Crown Court.

Mr Pritchard, 35 - who broke his neck in an accident 12 years ago and is paralysed from the neck down - said he could not cope without the cannabis.