Cancer patient given suspended jail sentence for cannabis

A 42-year-old Southside man with a brain tumour pleaded guilty to having the cannabis and a bong, but said the drug helped with him pain and vertigo

A 42-year-old Southside man with a brain tumour pleaded guilty to having the cannabis and a bong, but said the drug helped with him pain and vertigo

A cancer patient suffering from a brain tumour faced Gympie Magistrates Court on Monday on drug charges.

Forty-two year old Rocky Carson Geiger pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis and a home-made bong.

Police prosecutor Michael Phillips told the court Geiger willingly handed police the homemade bong, which was made from an Ice Breaker bottle and a metal pipe, when they entered his home on March 21, 2021.

“He made admissions that the cannabis was mixed with an unknown quantity of tobacco and that it was his,” Sergeant Phillips aid.

“When asked if he had a medical certificate he said he did not, but he did have a letter from his doctor which stated they are aware that he smokes cannabis instead of using oil available from the Gympie Hospital.”

Geiger’s defence lawyer N. Maywell said despite knowing the drugs were illegal, her client obtained and used the drugs for medicinal purposes.

“He says it assists with his pain, and he has 24/7 acute vertigo ... so smoking cannabis helps him to eat and sleep,” she said.

She said Geiger had initially sought to obtain the cannabis from his doctor, but was only prescribed an oil.

“They charged him $40 for a bottle, so it’s pretty expensive and lasts around a month,” she said.

“The doctor said if he wants to obtain cannabis buds he needs to relocate to Victoria.

“Smoking cannabis is cheaper, though he does understand it is illegal to possess dangerous drugs.”

Magistrate Kurt Fowler took into account the small amount of cannabis found in Geiger’s possession, which the court heard was 0.94 grams.

Geiger was sentenced to four months jail, suspended for 12 months.