Randall James Glendenning in Proserpine court charged with drug offences

A lawyer defending a man busted with 620 grams of cannabis said there was ‘nothing to suggest criminality’, calling it ‘trivial in nature’.

Randall James Glendenning appeared in Proserpine Magistrates Court on 24 June charged with various drug offences including producing cannabis.

A man who was caught with a substantial amount of drugs has told the court it was for personal use.

Randall James Glendenning appeared in Proserpine Magistrates Court this week charged with various drug offences including producing cannabis.

The court heard police attended the Cannon Valley home of Mr Glendenning on March 9 where they located two water pipes, a grinder, bowl, and scissors along with 620 grams of cannabis which police said he had packaged.

The 49-year-old was represented by Giulian Grasso from Whitsunday Law who told the court the drugs were for personal use.

“It is quite trivial in nature, there were no plants found, nothing to suggest commerciality,” he said.

He said Mr Glendenning was a full time commercial skipper until his father was diagnosed with dementia and he became a full time carer in April 2024.

His father’s passing in August reignited suppressed depression and anxiety and was a catalyst for a decline in living conditions, said Mr Grasso.

He said Mr Glendenning was using medicinal cannabis to treat his mental health and when his prescription ran out he sourced his own.

“He knows that wasn’t the right decision to make,” he said.

He added while Mr Glendenning did have long-standing issues with drug misuse he had a minimal history and was cooperative with police.

Mr Glendenning pleaded guilty to producing dangerous drugs, possessing a large quantity of drugs, possessing property suspected of having been acquired for committing a drug offence, possessing used drug utensils or pipes, and breach of bail.

Magistrate Anna Smith said it was “unsophisticated offending all round”.

Mr Glendenning was fined $1000.

No convictions were recorded.