QLD magistrate’s interesting take on medicinal cannabis prescriptions

A Qld disability pensioner busted in a police drug raid told a court that he had been trying to get a script for medicinal cannabis when a magistrate chimed in with an interesting observation on an easy place to get them.

Robin Anthony Damien Spiller.

A Central Queensland magistrate has given some interesting commentary on medicinal cannabis prescriptions, saying “They seem to hand them out just online like lollies.”

The comment came during the case of disability pensioner Robin Anthony Damien Spiller, 59, who pleaded guilty in Yeppoon Magistrates Court on Thursday to possessing dangerous drugs and drug utensils.

The court heard that on March 5, police executed a search warrant at Spiller’s Yeppoon home.

Police prosecutor Claudia Neill-Ballantine said officers found 12.2g of cannabis, as well as a bong and two pipes which smelt of burnt cannabis.

Robin Anthony Damien Spiller.

Ms Neill-Ballantine said Spiller told police that he was trying to obtain a script for medicinal cannabis but did not have one yet.

Spiller had a one-page criminal history and the court heard his last prior similar offending was in 2012.

Solicitor Oscar Millroy said Spiller was on a disability support pension.

Mr Millroy said Spiller suffered a severe back injury during a bus accident in his youth and he also had a stomach condition which caused him a lot of pain.

“Not withstanding that, he knows that cannabis use is wrong,” Mr Millroy said.

“He is looking into that medicinal cannabis prescription.”

At that point of Mr Millroy’s submission, Magistrate Cameron Press said: “It shouldn’t be hard to obtain because they seem to hand them out just online like lollies.”

Mr Millroy replied: “I know, I accept that Your Honour.”

Mr Press fined Spiller $800 and no conviction was recorded.