Larnook ‘shaman’ Timothy Brenden Clark faces Lismore court charged with growing 53 marijuana plants

A Northern Rivers man told a court being charged for growing cannabis was a breach of his religious rights and that animals planted the crop.

Clark refused to enter a plea, but a not guilty one was entered on his behalf. Picture: iStock

A “shaman” from the Northern Rivers told a court being charged for growing cannabis was a breach of his religious rights and that animals planted the crop.

Timothy Brenden Clark represented himself at Lismore Local Court on Monday, charged with cultivating 53 cannabis plants.

Police allege Clark knowingly took part in the cultivation of the crop on January 26 this year.

Medicinal cannabis is widely available in Australia, but the possession, supply and cultivation of the drug for recreational and other purposes remains illegal in NSW.

The 54-year-old from Larnook, northwest of Lismore, refused to enter a plea.

Clark told the court cannabis was used for “meditation purposes”.

He told the court: “This is a breach of my constitutional rights” and the cannabis was used for “meditation purposes”.

“I didn’t plant and cultivate – they were planted by animals,” he said.

Clark told the court his “religious beliefs” were being stepped on because of the charge.

“I’m not hurting anyone. I’m just practising my … beliefs,” he said.

Clark spoke of “religious observance”, said the law did not apply to him and described Magistrate Michael Dakin as a “priest”.

Clark told the court he was known as a “shaman in the Amazon”.

He also said he worked with “different energy” and “healing, like “reflexology” – even claiming cannabis cured some forms of cancer.

Clark outside the court.

“In my religion everything from the Earth is sacred,” Clark told the court.

Mr Dakin rejected Clark’s submissions: “I don’t care what religion you are … the law applies to you, Mr Clark.”

Mr Dakin directed that a plea of not guilty be formally entered on the record.

Clark replied: “I have to come back here and a bunch of people subject to your religion are going to judge me?”

He is due to return to Lismore Local Court on July 17 for committal mention.

Bail was continued.