Longtime weed grower Dane Mitchell claims drug helped him avoid daily seizures

The court heard the man, who appeared before court for growing and possessing cannabis, used the drug to help survive his chronic epilepsy.

Dane Mitchell appeared before Lismore Local Court on Monday, August 9.

A habitual weed grower has been let off with a stern warning after finding a legal way to ease his chronic pain.

Dane Mitchell appeared before Lismore Local Court on Monday, August 9, where he pleaded guilty to cultivating a prohibited plant, possessing a prohibited drug and possessing a prohibited weapon.

The court heard police executed a search of Mitchell’s home on May 21, where they found two cannabis plants on his veranda.

A further search of Mitchell’s home also found a large container containing 178g of cannabis leaf, four jars containing 25g of cannabis, and a nunchuck.

The court heard the man had a number of drug related matters on his record, including previous cultivation and possession charges.

Mitchell’s solicitor Natasha Wood said he grew the drug to assist in his chronic epilepsy.

“He was having up to three seizures a day but when he uses cannabis he doesn't have any seizures,” she said.

She noted he had tried traditional medicine but they had caused side effects.

Since the offending, Ms Wood said Mitchell had gained a prescription to access medicinal cannabis, “essentially recitifying the issue.”

She also said Mitchell claimed the nunchuck belonged to a former roommate who was a martial arts instructor and that owning it was “something he’d never really turned his mind to”.

Magistrate Michael Dakin acknowledged Mitchell’s previous history didn’t assist despite his illness.

“Like many people who come before the courts, said he has found alleviation by cannabis but had made no attempt until now to obtain a prescription,” he said.

Magistrate Dakin convicted Mitchell on all three counts and sentenced him to a Conditional Release Order for a period of two years, expiring on August 8, 2023.

He also ordered Mitchell abstain from drugs not prescribed and that he forfeit the weapon.