Alexander John Hennessey pleads guilty to drug production

A man who buys medicinal cannabis when he can afford it has faced a Sunshine Coast court for growing more than 50kg of the drug in his backyard.

Maroochydore Court House. Picture: Patrick Woods.

A Sunshine Coast man found with more than 50kg of cannabis growing in his backyard has learnt is fate in court.

Alexander John Hennessey, 46, appeared in the Maroochydore District Court on Tuesday, February 6, where he pleaded guilty to producing a dangerous drug in excess of 500g.

Crown prosecutor Madalyn Olivero told the court police were conducting a search on the Traverston property where Hennessey was living in March 2022 and they found 16 cannabis plants, some more than two metres in height, 30 metres from the house.

Ms Olivero told the court the total weight of the cannabis plants with the roots removed was 59.2kg and it was believed to be for Hennessey’s own personal use.

Alexander John Hennessey pleaded guilty to one charge of producing a dangerous drug in the Maroochydore District Court on Tuesday, February 6.

“He told the police he planted the cannabis from clones, which are planted from cuttings, and the current plants were four and a half months old, police also located fertilisers and growth enhances,” Ms Olivero said.

Defence barrister Mark Dixon told the court Hennessey had a prescription for medicinal cannabis, however it was expensive to buy and the 46-year-old was often out of work due to an injury.

“He instructs me that he has taken the step of securing a medicinal cannabis prescription,” Mr Dixon said.

“I suppose the unfortunate reality for him is that he is one of the people who suffers from an addiction to cannabis, when the addictions rears its ugly head he produces his own cannabis.”

Mr Dixon told the court Hennessey was currently living on a friend’s property in a tent.

Judge Gary Long told the court the medicinal cannabis prescription is “not cheap is it”, to which Mr Dixon replied Hennessey only bought medicinal cannabis when he was able to afford it.

Mr Long told the court Hennessey had cooperated with police during the search of the Traverston property.

Hennessey was sentenced to 15 months’ jail and was released on parole immediately.