Ringwood court: Croydon’s Raymond Scrivano done for growing cannabis plants

A Croydon man caught growing cannabis plants to make oil so he could ease a painful skin condition has called for the drug to be legalised for medical reasons.

Croydon's Raymond Scrivano outside Ringwood Magistrates Court on August 24, 2022. Picture: Kiel Egging.

A Croydon man caught making cannabis oil so he could treat a painful skin condition has called for Australians to be legally allowed to grow the drug for medical reasons.

Raymond Scrivano, 56, pleaded guilty to cultivating cannabis in the Ringwood Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, August 24.

The court heard officers raided Scrivano’s Bayswater Rd home on February 10 and arrested him after they found 10 plants, a hydroponic set-up and heat lamps inside the home, and another large plant in his backyard.

He was interviewed at Croydon police station but didn’t give a reason for growing the plants.

But on Wednesday, Scrivano, who appeared in court in a moon boot, told Magistrate Hayley Bate he had been suffering from numerous health issues including psoriasis, and was also awaiting a knee replacement.

He said he didn’t use the drug for smoking and grew plants to make cannabis oil to deal with the pain.

“I’ve been a concreter for 35 years, hence all my aches and pains,” he said.

Ms Bate and Ringwood prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Clive Dutton agreed that while they had a “holistic understanding” why Scrivano was growing the drug, it was still illegal to do so.

Ms Bate put Scrivano on a 12-month good behaviour bond and ordered he make a $300 donation to the Salvation Army.

Speaking outside of court, Scrivano said he’d cop the penalty on his chin, and would seek other remedies for his skin condition and treatments through his doctor.

He said he thought he’d try the oil after seeing good reviews and instructions on how to make it online, and got the cannabis plants from a friend.

“I got caught … I was doing it for myself, it didn’t work out, but I got some good cream from the GP,” Scrivano said.

“For uses like mine I think it should be OK (growing cannabis), it shouldn’t be a jail offence or anything like that.

“I don't' smoke it myself, I can’t stand the smell of it.”