Jeremy McLean sentenced for psychedelic golf game plans

There were no holes-in-one for a carpenter who found himself in the rough after his plans for a psychedelic golf game hit a snag. Here’s how he ended up in court.

A Darwin man carrying four mushrooms for a psychedelic game of golf has pleaded guilty to supplying a commercial quantity of drugs.

Jeremy William McLean, 37, appeared in Darwin Local Court on Friday to plead guilty to possessing and supplying a commercial quantity of drug.

Prosecutor Glenn Mohammed said McLean purchased $400 worth of psilocybin mushroom, commonly known as magic mushrooms on Friday August 19, 2022.

The court heard the Darwin business man and carpenter had plans to share the four mushrooms, weighing 20g, with his workmates at the Marrara golf course.

“He intended on further supplying the psilocybin with drinks and consume the drugs during a game of golf,” Mr Mohammed said.

Jeremy William McLean, 37, appeared in Darwin Local Court to plead guilty to possessing and supplying a commercial quantity of psilocybin, commonly known as magic mushrooms.

But his psychedelic putt-putt plans were thwarted by a roadside police stop.

McLean’s lawyer Peter Maley said an “legislative anomaly” meant his recreational trip could carry a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison.

The NT Misuse of Drugs Act classifies 5g of psilocybin as a commercial quantity of drugs, with the threshold for a trafficable quantity set at 0.1g.

Mr Maley said because of this “one mushroom is invariably commercial”.

“If you are someone prone to using magic mushrooms, you would be consuming a commercial quantity every time,” he said.

Mr Maley said even the cow manure, used as fertiliser for the mushrooms, counted towards the total weight of the bags his client was charged for.

“There have been so many amendments in parliaments of particular persuasions, and the effect on the misuse of drugs act has created this anomaly,” he said.

“There’s commercial overtones, there’s no mobile phones, there’s no large sums of cash, there’s no ledgers, there’s no suggestion this was an ongoing operation.

“If it was tested it would come down to some minute quantity.”

Psilocybin Magic Mushrooms.

Mr Maley said the defendant had excellent references, and he was supported by his partner.

Judge Alan Woodcock said the seriousness of the charge, but acknowledged the “unusual”, and “distinct” circumstances.

“Parliament makes the rules, and parliament can decide that people that possess one magic mushroom are guilty of possession of a commercial quantity,” Mr Woodcock said.

But he said sentencing was not a “tick-a-box” exercise and there needed to be appropriate judicial discretion.

Mr Woodcock said after reading the references for the “man of integrity, diligent and honest person with a strong work ethic” he would not record a conviction.

He was found guilty and ordered to pay a $1500 fine and a $300 levy.

The four magic mushrooms were forfeited.