Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
A man growing cannabis to treat his wife's chronic pain has been told to deal with his partner's condition "without breaking the law".
Judge Richard Russell said he would not be drawn into the cannabis debate in New Zealand and had to apply the law as it stood.
"I'm not going to be entering into the cannabis debate, that is for Parliament to decide. But I agree with police, your culpability is at the bottom end," Judge Russell said.
Murray Ian Snowden, 56, admitted cultivating cannabis and possessing ammunition at the Blenheim District Court on Monday.
Police found four cannabis plants when they searched Snowden's property at Spring Creek, north of Blenheim, on May 24.
Judge Russell accepted he only grew the plants to treat his wife's pain, and that he did not use the cannabis himself, or sold it.
In May, Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne said "some, if not all" class C drugs should be reclassified and regulated, sparking a debate into whether cannabis should be decriminalized or legalized.
Police also found several rounds of ammunition, nine live and others used, at Snowden's house, a police summary said.
Snowden's lawyer Rob Harrison said the cartridges were likely left over from before he lost his firearm's license some years ago.
"They've just been sitting in a shed."
Judge Russell accepted it was an "oversight" by Snowden.
He convicted Snowden on both charges and sentenced him to come up if called upon.
"If you're found again by the police in possession of cannabis or you're growing cannabis, those charges will be recalled and dealt with alongside the new charges," Judge Russell warned.
"Find a way to deal with your wife's health without breaking the law."
He also made an order for the ammunition seized by police to be destroyed.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Man convicted of cultivating cannabis for wife's chronic pain | Stuff.co.nz
Author: JENNIFER EDER
Contact: Contact Us | Stuff.co.nz
Photo Credit: Jeff Chiu
Website: National News | Stuff.co.nz
Judge Richard Russell said he would not be drawn into the cannabis debate in New Zealand and had to apply the law as it stood.
"I'm not going to be entering into the cannabis debate, that is for Parliament to decide. But I agree with police, your culpability is at the bottom end," Judge Russell said.
Murray Ian Snowden, 56, admitted cultivating cannabis and possessing ammunition at the Blenheim District Court on Monday.
Police found four cannabis plants when they searched Snowden's property at Spring Creek, north of Blenheim, on May 24.
Judge Russell accepted he only grew the plants to treat his wife's pain, and that he did not use the cannabis himself, or sold it.
In May, Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne said "some, if not all" class C drugs should be reclassified and regulated, sparking a debate into whether cannabis should be decriminalized or legalized.
Police also found several rounds of ammunition, nine live and others used, at Snowden's house, a police summary said.
Snowden's lawyer Rob Harrison said the cartridges were likely left over from before he lost his firearm's license some years ago.
"They've just been sitting in a shed."
Judge Russell accepted it was an "oversight" by Snowden.
He convicted Snowden on both charges and sentenced him to come up if called upon.
"If you're found again by the police in possession of cannabis or you're growing cannabis, those charges will be recalled and dealt with alongside the new charges," Judge Russell warned.
"Find a way to deal with your wife's health without breaking the law."
He also made an order for the ammunition seized by police to be destroyed.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Man convicted of cultivating cannabis for wife's chronic pain | Stuff.co.nz
Author: JENNIFER EDER
Contact: Contact Us | Stuff.co.nz
Photo Credit: Jeff Chiu
Website: National News | Stuff.co.nz
