Jake Justin Stower sentenced after Yeppoon drug bust

A labourer has been told “you can’t keep doing this” after another drug raid at his Central Queensland home.

Jake Justin Stower.

A Central Queensland labourer who grew his own cannabis because he “couldn’t afford” the medicinal variety has been given a suspended jail term.

Jake Justin Stower, 32, pleaded guilty in Yeppoon Magistrates Court to charges including producing and possessing dangerous drugs.

Police prosecutor Claudia Neill-Ballantine said police searched Stower’s residence on October 26.

Ms Neill-Ballantine said police found a makeshift “drying rack” in Stower’s bedroom which had 1kg of cannabis on it, and a glass container which held 15g of cannabis.

“In a cupboard in (Stower’s) bedroom, police located a series of fertilising equipment and chemicals... and growth support supplements,” Ms Neill-Ballantine said.

She said police also found 373g of cannabis in a back shed and numerous stems growing in containers, along with lighting and ducting equipment, and a series of fans.

Yeppoon Courthouse.

The court heard that during police questioning, Stower admitted to growing cannabis and said he used the drug for pain management.

Stower had a four-page criminal history which included previous drug offending.

Solicitor Oscar Millroy said the cannabis was for Stower’s personal use after breaking his back and there was no commerciality alleged.

“Full admissions were made (by Stower),” Mr Millroy said.

“He’s indicated to me that he can’t afford medicinal cannabis.”

Mr Millroy said Stower was working full-time as a labourer on a property.

“He’s working on his mental health - he knows that he needs to seek the support of a psychologist.”

Prior to imposing penalty, Magistrate Philippa Beckinsale told Stower: “You have to source a better way of dealing with your pain... you can’t keep doing this.”

Ms Beckinsale sentenced Stower to six months’ jail, wholly suspended for 12 months.

She also placed him on 12 months’ probation.

Convictions were recorded.