Multiple offenders have faced court on cannabis related offences in Bundaberg

A 70-year-old man found with 26 plants in his greenhouse was one of several Bundaberg residents to face the court on cannabis offences on Friday. Ready the full story:

A rise in cannabis related offences have landed dozens of Bundaberg locals in court, as many offenders struggle to gain access or even afford medical cannabis prescriptions.

From a legally blind and deaf women struggling to find support within her community to a retiree with no prior criminal history, Bundaberg locals are turning to cannabis to deal with pain and anxiety only to find themselves in court.

Here are just three of the cannabis related offences from Friday in the Bundaberg Magistrates Court:

Arnold Hubble

A part-time cleaner and retiree who was struggling with back pain and anxiety has avoided a conviction after he was found with 26 marijuana plants growing in his greenhouse.

Arnold Hubble pleaded guilty in Bundaberg Magistrates Court on Friday to possessing utensils or pipes, possessing dangerous drugs and producing dangerous drugs.

Police prosecutor Andrew Powis told the court on August 2, 2022 police executed a search warrant on Hubble’s address, where they found Hubble and his partner in the backyard.

Senior Constable Powis told the court that Hubble was immediately cooperative with the police investigation.

“Prior to conducting the search Hubble advised police that he was growing cannabis in the greenhouse and he only smokes in the shed at the rear of the house, and that is the only place police would find drug related material,” he said.

Police located the 26 cannabis plants, a ceramic bowl containing 2 grams of cannabis and a glass water pipe.

Duty lawyer Rian Dwyer represented Hubble and told the court the cannabis found was for Hubble’s own personal use.

Mr Dwyer told the court that Hubble had recently been approved for a medical cannabis prescription to help with his anxiety and back pain.

Acting Magistrate Peter Cooke acknowledged that at 70 years-of-age Hubble had no previous criminal history.

“I accept that you must have been in some pain to take this course to deal with your back pain,” he said.

A fine of $400 was handed down referred to SPER, and no conviction was recorded.

Catherine Mules.

Catherine Mules

A legally blind and deaf Bundaberg woman has been told it was “only good fortune” that she had not appeared before the court on previous drug related charges.

Catherine Mules pleaded guilty and was convicted in the Bundaberg Magistrates Court on Friday of possessing dangerous drugs and possessing utensils or pipes used in connection with drugs.

Acting Magistrate Peter Cooke told Mules if she did not “get a prescription (for medical cannabis) you put yourself at risk”.

The court heard that on August 7, 2022 police attended Mules’ Thabeban address on a separate matter when they noticed a small silver bowl containing cannabis and a clip seal bag containing cannabis on the table.

Also on the table was a milk carton with a cone piece fashioned into a bong.

Mules told the court she used the cannabis to relieve the pressure of macular dystrophy in her eyes, as well as being 60 per cent deaf in her left ear and 40 per cent deaf in her right ear.

Mules told the court when police had attended her address in the past the cannabis was not an issue.

“The police have turned a blind eye many times I must say, four times they had come into my house that week alone,” she said.

Mules said it was a lack of community support that prevented her from gaining a medical prescription.

Mr Cooke told Mules she would need to organise a prescription to keep herself out of court.

“I understand what you’re saying, but unfortunately for you if you don’t get a prescription for cannabis you place yourself at risk for this happening on a semi-regular basis.

“Because you have history, police know if they ever have to come to your place again they know there is a good chance there will be some cannabis there,” he said.

A $400 fine was handed down referred to SPER and a conviction was recorded.

Kristopher Collier.

Kristopher Collier

A Bundaberg father of two busted with 6g of cannabis in his home was fined $400 on Friday.

Kristopher Collier pleaded guilty to possessing dangerous drugs, possessing utensils or pipes and contravening a police direction.

Police prosecutor Andrew Powis told the court on July 15, 2022 police executed a search warrant at Collier’s home where they found a small wooden bowl containing cannabis.

The court heard police then searched the property further and found 6g of cannabis in a sealed bag in an esky and 2.5g of cannabis in a glass cylinder in a kitchen cupboard.

The court heard police also found an electric grinder and a bong.

Senior Constable Powis told the court that Collier was already on parole for similar offences.

“It’s clear that the probation isn’t working as he continues to reoffend,” he said.

Duty lawyer Rian Dwyer representing Collier informed the court that the six gram bag was from the previous offence, and Collier was not aware the bag was still in his home.

Mr Dwyer said Collier used the cannabis for anxiety, and a degenerative back disease.

“Since the arrest he has been referred to his GP and he has been approved for medicinal cannabis, and was approved only a few days after the raid,” Mr Dwyer told the court.

Mr Dwyer asked that Collier only be fined for the offence as Collier was in the process of opening his own lawn mowing business aimed at assisting those on the NDIS.

A conviction would impact his chances of becoming eligible for the yellow card required to work with the NDIS.

Acting Magistrate Peter Cooke considered the request.

“Under the circumstances for repeating the offence I note that you have some conditions which mean that you have been approved for medicinal cannabis, it’s a pity you didn’t get on that earlier,” he said.

Collier was fined $400 referred to SPER and no conviction was recorded.