Jamie William Hector Hall in court for smoking cannabis

A former chef, who moved to regional Queensland to get away from the NSW drug scene has told a court a health problem affecting both ‘cheeks’ is to blame for ongoing marijuana smoking.

A former chef has told a court smoking marijuana helped to heal the ingrown hairs in a particularly uncomfortable spot.

Jamie William Hector Hall, 34, pleaded guilty to two charges of possessing drugs and one of possessing utensils when he fronted the Bundaberg Magistrates Court.

At 11:25am on August 30, 2022, police conducted a search of Hall’s home where they found a quantity of cannabis throughout the home, including in a container on a washing machine and in a bowl in the kitchen.

When asked if it was his, Hall said he had used it.

Police also discovered two capsules containing MDMA, a grinder and two bongs.

Hall’s lawyer, Kristobel Stafford-Smith told the court Hall moved up from New South Wales recently to “get away from drugs” and was on the Jobseeker payment but looking to apply for a pension.

“He’s talking to his doctor about the disability support pension for significant health conditions,” she said.

“Since the offences he’s been given a prescription for medicinal cannabis for health conditions.”

Hall told the court one of his conditions included a problem with ingrown hairs.

“It’s not something that’s easy to explain, but I have, essentially, ingrown hairs, they never go away,” he said.

“Instead of it being ingrown hair, the hair follicle grows underneath the skin and continues to grow.

A man fighting a health condition affecting his rear end has appeared in court for using cannabis to treat it.

“So, I can have a hair follicle, and I have one at the base of my …”

Before Hall could explain further, Magistrate Edwina Rowan asked him if the issue was an auto-immune condition.

“I believe somewhat, yeah,” Hall said.

“I also have coccygeal fistulas; the soft tissue is affected, and the hair follicle finds its way through that part and comes up somewhere else.

“I have it on both sides of my butt cheeks.

“I’m currently waiting to see a specialist. I’ve had two operations and three abscesses removed due to the condition so far.”

The court heard Hall had a history of being convicted for drug possession.

Ms Rowan said she would reduce Hall’s penalty due to his co-operation with police.

“You have previously been before the court, not in Bundaberg, for Drug Misuse Act offending,” she said.

“I take into consideration you co-operated with police.”

Ms Rowan said she would not place him on probation because he was taking steps to remove himself from drugs.

Hall was fined $700 referred to SPER and convictions were recorded.