Savvy grower in court over country property pot crop

This 54-year-old rural property owner brought a whole new meaning to ‘green thumb’ when she was busted experimenting with new variants of illegal plants.

Judith Knilands appeared in Hervey Bay Magistrates Court after police found 39 cannabis plants at her house. Photo: File/ Generic​

A green thumb for crossbreeding cannabis plants to grow new variants landed a woman in Hervey Bay Magistrates Court.

Judith Knilands, 54, pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing dangerous drugs, producing dangerous drugs and possessing drug utensils.

Police Prosecutor Senior Constable Sonia Edwards said police conducted a search at a Duckinwilla address on April 22, 2020 and police located 39 cannabis plants.

Senior Constable Edwards said police also found 170 grams of cannabis seeds and 360 grams of cannabis leaves.

“She used the cannabis and she propagated it from different plants to discover new varieties for her own use,” she said.

“She was very cooperative with police and police also found utensils.”

Defence Lawyer Melissa Guilfoyle said Knilands had been employed in a management role with Woolworths for 15 years prior to the offences but she had been made redundant by the company and was now working for another supermarket.

“She has been suffering chronic pain and has been using cannabis to self medicate and she understands this is not a lawful excuse,” Ms Guilfoyle said.

She noted Knilands had no relevant criminal history, co-operated with police at all times during the search and was remorseful.

Magistrate Stephen Guttridge said the amount of cannabis produced was not an insignificant amount and took into account Knilands’ early pleas of guilty.

Magistrate Guttridge imposed one fine of $1500, no conviction was recorded and drug items were forfeited.