Ryan Ambrosiussen faces drug cultivation charges in Lismore Local Court

The businessman’s solicitor said the legal outlet for chronic pain relief was “prohibitive” leading him to illegal means.

Ryan Ambrosiussen fronted Lismore Local Court on Monday for drug cultivation. Picture: Facebook

A Lismore barber grew low-potency cannabis to help with his chronic pain, a court has heard.

Ryan John Ambrosiussen, 39, pleaded guilty in Lismore Local Court on Monday for cultivation of a prohibited plant.

Solicitor Dan Steiner told the court the six small seedlings were for Ambrosiussen’s own use.

He said his client had a legal medical cannabis prescription but was forced to grow his own crop when the lockdown hit.

Mr Steiner said the cost was “prohibitive” when a legal weekly supply could cost $175.

“At the time, his business was in lockdown for better part three months without any real break,” he said.

“It was a difficult time for a lot of small business in the area, especially those in hairdressing or barbers.”

He said Ambrosiussen was able to grow low THC cannabis, THC being the compound in cannabis that produced the high sensation.

“Your honour will notice there’s an anomaly in the trafficking act, that legislation was amended recently to reflect higher potency,” he said.

“By that same token, there is nothing yet in legislation for low potency cannabis.”

He said there was no suggestion Ambrosiussen was supplying nor did police find any other drug paraphernalia during their search.

He said the father of one was otherwise a “demonstrable type of person “.

Magistrate Jeff Linden agreed Ambrosiussen’s reference material was “excellent”.

He sentenced Ambrosiussen to a conditional release order of six months.

Ambrosiussen was not convicted.