Hervey Bay’s Michael Joseph Gala pleaded guilty to drug offences

A raid at a Hervey Bay home revealed a bed wasn’t just for sleeping in but the owner claimed he had a good reason for the stash.

A man busted with marijuana under his pillow during a police raid has copped a big fine.

Michael Joseph Gala, 55, pleaded guilty to possessing dangerous drugs, possessing property suspected of having been used in a drug offence and possessing drug utensils when he faced Hervey Bay Magistrates Court this week.

The court heard a search warrant was executed by police in Hibiscus Street, Urangan.

During the search the water pipes were found along with 39 grams of marijuana stashed under a pillow at the home.

The court heard the father of four was on a disability pension, suffered significant pain in his back and spine due to arthritis and smoked the drug to self-medicate.

He had spoken to his doctor about using medicinal marijuana for his pain.

Gala was fined $1200.