A Leeds man who supplied illegal cannabis products to help people suffering from illness has avoided jail after a judge acknowledged his products had “given people hope”.
Joel Cunningham, 40, was found guilty at Leeds Crown Court of conspiracy to supply a Class B drug, among other offences, after police uncovered his operation trading in cannabis-based oils, creams and vapes.
Judge Neil Clark described it as a “highly unusual” case, noting that the motivation was to help people rather than make a profit. He admitted there had been no evidence of harm caused to customers and accepted that Cunningham “genuinely believed the products work”.
Cunningham received an 18-month jail sentence, suspended for 12 months, and was ordered to carry out 160 hours of unpaid work.
Cunningham’s case had attracted significant support, with members of the public protesting during his trial. A petition on Change.org highlighting his work providing cannabis oil to individuals suffering from chronic pain, life-threatening illnesses, and severe epilepsy gained over 3,500 signatures. One signee Kirsty, from Shipley, wrote that “Joel was amazing when my husband was diagnosed with Ewings sarcoma at just aged 26! He came to see us, wouldn’t charge for the oil and sat and talked with us all day… The oil meant he was relatively pain free and still able to have some quality of life. We even used the balm on his tumours and this helped with the pain so much.”
Police began their investigation in May 2021 after a child in hospital had been given cannabis oil by their parents, though this was not the reason reported for the child’s hospitalisation. A police search of the parents’ phone led them to Cunningham’s business venture.
Cunningham, of Wakefield Road, Drighlington, said he conducted in-depth research into cannabis benefits after feeling it helped relieve his grandmother’s pain in the years prior to her death. He initially provided products free of charge, later charging only those who could afford to pay.
During the trial, Cunningham never denied supplying the products but disagreed with the law and genuinely believed the products were helping those in need. He represented himself during proceedings and maintained he was not attempting to make a profit.
Cunningham was found guilty of conspiring to supply a Class B drug, possession with intent to supply cannabinoid receptor agonists, acquiring criminal property and selling unauthorised medicinal products.
He was also convicted of intent to supply a Class A drug after more than 1kg of magic mushrooms were found during the police search. However, Cunningham said he had picked them himself for medicinal purposes.
Cunningham told the court he respected the law but “obviously” disagreed with it. He thanked Judge Clark for allowing his voice to be heard during the proceedings.
The judge acknowledged Cunningham’s genuine belief in the effectiveness of his products and his altruistic motivation, which he said made this an exceptional case.
In November 2018, the UK government changed the law to allow cannabis-based medicines to be prescribed for medicinal use, however, only a handful of prescriptions have been issued via the NHS. It is estimated that there are around 80,000-100,000 cannabis patients who obtain prescriptions via private clinics. Approximately 1.8 million people in the UK use cannabis for medical purposes, but outside of the legally prescribed framework.
Cunningham’s mother, Lisa Hillas, 57, of Hawthorne Close, Gildersome, was also found guilty of conspiring to supply a Class B drug and possession with intent to supply cannabinoid receptor agonists for acting as a conduit to help people obtain products from her son. She received a 12-month community order, 100 hours of unpaid work and 10 rehabilitation days with probation.
