Skipton man Masyn Pratt faces court for having dozens of cannabis plants, longarms, fireworks

A Skipton man making oil and butter from cannabis turned to trafficking “for greed” and was found in possession of air rifles, fireworks, and a taser.

Police raided the home of a Skipton man who had more than two-dozen cannabis plants. Picture: File

A Skipton man who grew dozens of cannabis plants for his chronic pain before turning to trafficking had four air rifles, a taser, and fireworks in his bedroom, a court has heard.

Masyn Pratt, 43, faced Ballarat Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday charged with possessing longarms without a licence and more.

The court heard police searched Pratt’s home on June 7 and found five bags of cannabis in his bedroom.

In a rear shed were 17 cannabis plants in a cabinet, and eight more were uncovered elsewhere on the property.

Police found cannabis in various tubs, including in four baskets, as well as a rolled-up joint.

There were also filters, transformers, pumps, heat lights, and other paraphernalia at the home.

Also in Pratt’s possession were four air rifles – for which the court heard Pratt did not know he needed a licence – and boxes of ammunition.

He had a taser and a box of fireworks in his bedroom.

The court was told Pratt had been prescribed medicinal cannabis, but fulfilling his prescriptions was too expensive.

He was said to predominantly make oil and butter from cannabis.

But Magistrate Michelle Mykytowycz, after viewing messages between Pratt and other people regarding the sale of cannabis, said Pratt’s pursuit had “turned into trafficking for profit, for greed”.

Pratt pleaded guilty and will be assessed for a community correction order before returning to court on October 28.