An Inverurie man has pleaded guilty to cultivating cannabis plants in his mother’s garden, after police raided the property and found 12 plants worth up to £4,800. The man claimed that he was growing the plants for his own personal use, as he suffered from anxiety and depression.
The police executed a search warrant at the house in Inverurie on October 14, 2023, after receiving a tip-off from a member of the public. They discovered 12 cannabis plants, ranging from 18 inches to three feet in height, in a greenhouse in the garden. They also found a small amount of cannabis resin and a grinder in the house.
The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested and taken to Aberdeen Sheriff Court, where he admitted to producing a controlled drug. He told the police that he had been growing the plants for about six months, and that he used the cannabis to self-medicate for his mental health issues. He said that he did not intend to sell or supply the cannabis to anyone else.
The defence and the mitigation
The man’s defence solicitor, John Hardie, said that his client had a long history of anxiety and depression, and that he had been prescribed medication by his doctor. However, he said that the medication had unpleasant side effects, and that his client had turned to cannabis as an alternative. He said that his client had grown the plants from seeds that he had bought online, and that he had not used any sophisticated equipment or fertilisers.
Hardie said that his client had been living with his mother at the time of the offence, and that she was unaware of his cannabis cultivation. He said that his client had since moved out of the house, and that he had stopped using cannabis. He said that his client was remorseful and embarrassed by his actions, and that he had cooperated fully with the police.
The sentence and the warning
Sheriff Ian Wallace deferred sentence on the man until March 10, 2024, and ordered him to be of good behaviour. He also ordered a criminal justice social work report and a restriction of liberty assessment to be prepared. He warned the man that he could face a custodial sentence, depending on the outcome of the reports.
Sheriff Wallace said that cannabis cultivation was a serious offence, and that it could have negative consequences for the individual and the society. He said that cannabis was an illegal and harmful substance, and that it could not be used as a substitute for medical treatment. He said that the man had put himself and his mother at risk, and that he had to face the consequences of his actions.
Michael Brown is a seasoned journalist with a knack for uncovering compelling stories within the realm of cannabis. Through his investigative reporting and in-depth analysis, he sheds light on the regulatory challenges, market trends, and societal impacts of the burgeoning cannabis industry. Michael’s commitment to objective journalism and ethical reporting makes him a trusted voice in providing readers with balanced and informative articles about this rapidly evolving landscape.
