Carbrook electrician says head trauma reason for growing cannabis plants

A Logan electrician’s traumatic teenage injury led him on a downward path which recently ended in court.

Ray John Laine leaving Beenleigh District Court.

A Logan electrician busted with 11 cannabis plants has claimed they were for medicinal use to treat head trauma he suffered when he was 17-years-old.

Carbrook’s Ray John Laine, 42, pleaded guilty in the Beenleigh District Court on December 15 to four counts of supplying schedule 2 dangerous drugs, one count of possessing property suspected of being used in a drug offence, possession of drug utensils and publishing or possessing instructions for producing dangerous drugs.

The court heard Laine was found on May 18 growing cannabis plants in his Beenleigh Redland Bay Rd home.

“He made admissions that he had been growing for two months,” the police prosecutor said.

“Eleven cannabis plants were found, along with glass pipes, a water pipe and scales.

“He provided a mobile phone to police showing the arrangements of sales of cannabis.

“Police also found a (cannabis grower guide) and his search history revealed websites researching how to grow cannabis.”

Laine’s lawyer, Nick Mcghee, said his client went through a traumatic event as a young adult.

“The production was for personal use,” Mr Mcghee said.

“He produced and took cannabis to assist with headaches and sleeping problems.

“He wasn’t making any monetary gain, but it wasn’t solely for personal use.”

Judge Craig Chowdhury said drug offending is serious.

“It’s harmful,” Mr Chowdhury said.

“You need to be punished.”

He was given a head sentence of 15 months’ jail, suspended for 15 months.

Convictions were recorded.