Bizarre protest outside 'Dr Pot' court case as supporters claim he's a 'political prisoner'
A former doctor charged with making and supplying cannabis oil has told a Sydney court he is a political prisoner.
Andrew Katelaris, who treats severely ill people at his Ubuntu Wellness Clinic in Newcastle, was supported by a group of protestors outside court who staged a bizarre protest.
One woman squirted cannabis oil into her mouth while a man shouted, "Tony Abbott rules!"
Others held placards with pictures of marijuana leaves on them reading: "Save a child, let it grow wild."
Channel Seven's Sunday Night profiled Katelaris in May.
Soon after that story, Katelaris was charged with possessing, making and supplying large commercial quantities of cannabis oil.
"We cannot afford to have our work interrupted by ill-considered police or other interventions," he said during the program.
On Friday his lawyer Michael Korn dropped his client.
Katelaris's bail was cancelled 10 days ago and he appeared via video link from prison.
Inside the court, supporters yelled out "set him free", "he's a political prisoner" and "he's not guilty".
Katelaris then detailed what he described as the inhumane conditions at Parklea Prison, saying the guards there were "sadistic".
Judge Conlon said he'd recommend he be moved to the Metropolitan Remand Centre at Silverwater Jail ahead of a bail application next month.
If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in jail.
