A local Toowoomba man has been fined for cannabis possession, after cultivating cannabis to treat insomnia and sleep problems.
The 30-year-old man was reportedly given five cannabis seeds from a friend last year. In just two months, the man grew the seeds into five flourishing cannabis plants. The plants were seized by Queensland police on January 21st when the man’s Kearneys Spring home was raided.
According to statements made by police prosecutor Julia Wheaton in court, the plants measured around 75cm each.
The court also heard from the man’s solicitor, Joe McConnell, who explained that his client was using the cannabis to self-medicate after he broke seven bones in a motorcycle crash. While the crash took place two years ago, it caused chronic pain and sleep problems. The man was originally given medication but rejected these for cannabis at the suggestion of his friend.
The 30-year-old pleaded guilty to possessing and producing cannabis, which his lawyer described as an “eye-opener” for him. He also pleaded guilty to a charge of possessing a water pipe, which was found alongside a single gram of cannabis in his home. He had no prior criminal history.
Magistrate Graham Lee fined the man $750 for the cannabis but did not record a conviction against him. The magistrate also disqualified the man’s license for four months, gave him a restricted work license and fined him $500 – as the man was caught driving with a breath/alcohol reading of 0.08 on November 22nd.
In an ironic twist, Toowoomba, where the man lives, is currently known as Queensland’s cannabis capital. The city is currently home to several large medical cannabis companies.