Jason Leigh Tapp guilty of drug offences in Caloundra court

A terminally ill man has faced court on drugs charges after he was found with more than 50 marijuana plants and seedlings in part of his house during a police raid.

Jason Leigh Tapp outside the Caloundra Magistrates Court on December 7.

A man with a terminal illness turned to drug production after medicinal marijuana – which was shrinking a growth in his lungs – became too expensive.

Jason Leigh Tapp pleaded guilty to drug possession, drug production and possessing property suspected of being used in connection with a drug offence after police raided a home on October 6.

Tapp appeared in the Caloundra Magistrates Court on December 7.

Police prosecutor David Hoffmann said Tapp showed officers a locked walk-in wardrobe and ensuite during the drug bust.

The Senior Constable said police officers found 20 marijuana plants, 35 seedlings, about 200 cannabis seeds along with a piece of baking paper with dried leaves on it, clipseal bags with leaves in them and books on how to grow the plant.

Jason Leigh Tapp outside the Caloundra Magistrates Court on December 7.

The police prosecutor said officers also found “grow lights”, an exhaust fan and temperature gauges.

During the drug bust, the 41-year-old told police that he had 14 months to live and he could not afford medical marijuana.

Lawyer Rod Morgan said the Kings Beach resident had a “large” number of conditions that had caused damage to his body including a growth on his lungs “indirectly related” to tuberculosis and a broken back.

Mr Morgan said Tapp was prescribed CBD oil and the treatment was “so successful” it shrank the growth on his lungs.

“Unfortunately, it became too expensive,” he said.

Mr Morgan said Tapp ended up homeless after his marriage broke up and during that period the growth expanded.

“He had produced cannabis not with an intention to use it for the THC, which would be the usual, by way of intoxication but actually to treat his medical conditions,” he said.

Mr Morgan said his client was growing the cannabis “ultimately to harvest it at that very early stage” where it was not “producing any intoxication” and would then eat it.

Mr Morgan said only four of the plants had roots and the rest were cuttings that were planted back into the ground and although Tapp had many seeds they were unviable for his purpose.

The court was told the former steel fixer had also started studying a science degree but because of his illnesses he had to defer.

Magistrate Catherine Benson fined Tapp $1500 and forfeited the items seized.

A conviction was not recorded.