A Canadian man has been sentenced to life in prison in Dubai for taking CBD and cannabis for medical use on a plane.
Maurice Kevin O’Rourke, from Mississauga, Ontario, was prescribed CBD oil and cannabis – both of which are fully legal in Canada – to treat the chronic pain caused by the rare and life-threatening Addison’s disease.
But when the 64-year-old traveled through Dubai on July 3 on his way to South Africa, he was arrested for carrying his medical-use CBD oil and cannabis in his luggage and taken to Al Awir Prison.
The carpenter has now been sentenced to life in prison in the city in the United Arab Emirates.
His wife Pamela O’Rourke said after the shocking statement: ‘Our world fell apart. Our daughter Maegan and I are devastated. We are in disbelief.
“Kevin accepts that he should not have traveled while on medication, but he does not deserve to spend the rest of his life in prison. It was an innocent mistake.’
She added: ‘When he was arrested, local doctors struggled to get the drugs, which affected his immune system.
‘He contracted a MRSA infection, underwent two emergency surgeries, was in hospital for 40 days and then battled an infection.
Maurice Kevin O’Rourke (pictured), from Mississauga, Ontario, uses CBD oil and cannabis – both fully legal in Canada – to treat the chronic pain caused by the rare and life-threatening Addison’s disease
“When he was arrested, local doctors had difficulty getting the drugs, which compromised his immune system,” Pamela O’Rourke said. Pictured: Mr O’Rourke in hospital
Mrs O’Rourke added: ‘He has an open wound in prison, in three months he went from strong and healthy to a wheelchair. It was incredibly painful and life-threatening for him.” Mr O’Rourke is pictured above in hospital after being detained
‘He has an open wound in prison, in three months he went from strong and healthy to a wheelchair. It was incredibly painful and life-threatening for him.”
Mr O’Rourke will appeal the sentence, with a trial on December 25. But if the original verdict is upheld, Mr O’Rourke could die in a Dubai prison.
“The Dubai prison system will not provide adequate medical care and he will be deprived of necessary medication and care,” said Radha Stirling, crisis manager and CEO of human rights organization Detained in Dubai, which is helping the family.
She added: “The suffering of prisoners does not concern the authorities in the UAE.
‘British grandfather Albert Douglas has first-hand experience of being denied heart medication and denied surgery for broken bones he suffered after being beaten by prison guards.
“Kevin will not survive under their care. He is too fragile and is at risk of infections and life-threatening complications as a result of his illness.
“We urge the Canadian government, and in particular its Member of Parliament, Peter Fonseca, to work with their counterparts in the UAE to help bring Kevin home. The last thing either country wants is a death in custody.
“We have sentenced rapists and murderers to just a few years in prison. How can the courts sentence an elderly man to life in prison for possessing drugs for personal use? This is a man who made a real mistake.
Mr O’Rourke’s wife, Pamela O’Rourke (the couple are pictured together above) said after the shocking statement: ‘Our world fell apart. Our daughter Maegan and I are devastated. We are in disbelief
Mr O’Rourke will appeal the sentence, with a trial on December 25. But if the original verdict is upheld, Mr O’Rourke could die in a Dubai prison.
“Dubai has to be sensible here. He was just passing through and did not intentionally endanger himself. He is sick and needs constant medical care.
“From a human rights perspective, we hope the Dubai government understands and allows him to come home.”
Ms Stirling has seen numerous arrests for prescription drugs, including painkillers such as codeine.
‘There is a lot of confusion as to whether certain medicines are allowed in Dubai. UAE embassy staff have even given conflicting advice to visitors and enforcement of the laws is arbitrary.
‘Many visitors with CBD have been denied entry/expelled, while others have had their controlled substances confiscated and allowed to continue their holiday.
‘It can be very confusing and many tourists make the mistake of believing, as Kevin did, that their prescription is valid or that medications are allowed everywhere. Countries need to have some understanding and compassion for people who genuinely meant no harm.
“Unfortunately, Dubai police and prosecutors are incentivized to prosecute drug cases, even when they involve prescription drugs for personal use.
‘It is unfathomable that Kevin was sentenced to life in prison and fined AED 500,000 (approximately $136,000 or $190,000CAD).
“The reason for the harsh sentence is that the prosecutor combined the weights of each drug to ensure that it exceeded 100 grams and that he would receive the harshest penalty. He brought a total of 118 grams, consisting of cannabis, CBD and CBD oil.
‘If they had charged the amounts individually, he would not have received such a shocking sentence.
“Even without jail time, $190,000 is a huge amount of money that most people can’t afford. If they cannot pay the fine, they are not allowed to leave.”