Cops bust disability pensioner growing ‘medicinal’ weed

A MAN who was caught growing marijuana has agreed to seek medicinal marijuana.

A Lockyer Waters man has been served a good behaviour bond after he pleaded guilty to a range of drug charges. Picture: (AAP Image/Renae Droop)

AFTER hearing how others suffering from chronic pain sought legal prescriptions for medicinal marijuana, a Lockyer Waters man was inspired to do the same.

But it wasn’t before he was caught growing marijuana when police searched his property.

The court heard Joshua Andrew Jackson, 32, who suffered from diabetes, a bulging disk in his back and fluid on his knee, mixed marijuana into his food to self-medicate.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Alister Windsor told the court Jackson had been home when police arrived with a search warrant on May 16.

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The court heard a small marijuana plant was growing upon a bench outside the house.

“(Jackson) admitted it was his and he had grown it from seed – it’s not determined how tall the plant was other than it was small,” Sgt Windsor said.

“(He) said he had been obtaining oil from the plant.”

Police also found a set of scales, a glass pipe, a small amount of marijuana in a bowl and taser next to the bed as well as clipseal bags containing amphetamine residue.

“In relation to the bowl … (Jackson) said he was going to mix it into his food for ingestion,” Sgt Windsor said.

“In relation to the taser, he said he purchased it online to stop dogs from barking however had never used it – he had only used it in the air to test the item.”

Jackson pleaded guilty to five drug-related charges and one count of possessing an unlawful weapon.

Duty lawyer James Ryan told Magistrate Peter Saggers that Jackson received a disability support pension and used marijuana medicinally.

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Mr Saggers told Jackson he noted he had been “full and frank” with police when they turned up to search his home.

“If it is the case you’re using (marijuana) to self-medicate, you need to (seek it through a doctor),” Mr Saggers said.

“Otherwise you’ll just keep coming back before the courts.”

Jackson said he agreed.

For the drug offences, Jackson was served a $750 six-month good behaviour bond and ordered to complete a Drug and Alcohol Assessment Referral course.

For possessing the taser, he was fined $400.

No convictions were recorded.

Read more news by Ebony Graveur.

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