UPWARDS of 100 people are expected to attend what is believed to be the first ever public demonstration in Omagh for the legalisation of cannabis.

UPWARDS of 100 people are expected to attend what is believed to be the first ever public demonstration in Omagh for the legalisation of medicinal cannabis.

Set to take place on Saturday of next week (March 19), the event is being organised by Omagh Medicinal Cannabis Support Group and has been dubbed ‘the Big Patient Group Selfie’.

Gathering at Community House for 12 noon, medicinal cannabis users will walk around to the OASIS Plaza where a group photograph will be taken. Those attending are given the choice whether or not to face the camera directly.


Explaining the rationale behind this, Kieran McCrory from the local support group described the new campaign as ‘the working man’s revolution.’

“We would like everyone to be able to face the camera but there is still a stigma attached to the use of cannabis, even for medicinal purposes,” he said. “Part of what we’re trying to do here, as well as getting the government to rethink their stance on medicinal cannabis, is take the whole stigma out of using this medicine – and it is a medicine.”

Kieran McCrory, who was struck down with a brain tumour in 2011 and who is currently recovering from brain surgery, founded Omagh Medicinal Cannabis Support Group last year. He admits using a form of medicinal cannabis, CBD oil in an effort to see his tumour diminish.

“These are ordinary people with ordinary jobs, people who have been affected by disease and who want to use medicinal cannabis as a form of treatment,” he continued. “This is a working man’s revolution.

“For me personally, I need this stuff to stay alive longer than the doctors have predicted. It’s a matter of life and death.

“Absolutely, we would like to see people come along to support us on the day and you don’t have to be a medicinal cannabis user to do that.”


He concluded, “This isn’t a cure for cancer but it’s the best thing that we can put into our bodies to help try and beat it.”

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