LONDON (AFP) - A 68-year-old British woman faces jail after being found guilty Wednesday of growing and possessing cannabis which she claimed was for medicinal purposes.

A jury at Carlisle Crown Court in northwest England took just 15 minutes to return their verdict on grey-haired Patricia Tabram, who claims she uses the drug to ease her depression and aches and pains from two car crashes.

Judge Barbara Forrester postponed sentencing so psychiatric reports could be prepared on the unlikely-looking dealer, who since her first conviction has become a focus for campaigners seeking to legalise the drug.

Tabram was arrested and charged after police acting on a tip-off found four cannabis plants growing in a wardrobe at her bungalow in the town of Humshaugh in Northumberland, northeast England.

Powdered cannabis was found in a jar next to her cooker in the kitchen. She also confessed to police that her freezer was packed with dope-laced curries, casseroles and ice cream. 

Officers declined to seize it because they did not want to deprive her of food.

Tabram, who defended herself in court, said: "I am old and I am tired and I am disappointed, not in the result by the jury.

"I am disappointed in the attitude of the court regarding someone my age with my health problems and the way I deal with it. I just want to go home and get some rest."

Tabram was given a six-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, in April 2005 after she was found with cannabis and plants.

The twice-married former chef and teacher -- who likens herself to the Suffragettes, who campaigned for British women's right to vote -- said she used the drug to make curries, casseroles, biscuits and soups for local people.  (Man, I wish I was a local!!!!) 

The judge then said he would not make her a "martyr" by jailing her.

The terms of her sentence means she is liable to serve six months in prison if she commits a further offence in a two-year period.

Judge Forrester said Wednesday: "I cannot exclude a custodial sentence because you are in breach of asuspended sentence."

Speaking before Wednesday's proceedings, Tabram said she was not afraid to go to prison, telling reporters: "I will be with all women in there and they will treat me like a queen.

"I will be everyone's granny in there."

Tabram wrote a book after her first conviction, "Grandma Eats Cannabis", appeared on chat shows and even stood in the 2005 general election on a pro-cannabis ticket.