JAIL AVOIDED FOR CANNABIS IMPORTING

A cannabis user who imported seeds over the internet was found with
hydroponic equipment, cannabis plants and literature on growing fruit
and vegetables.

In the Christchurch District Court, Judge Robert Kerr said jail could
be imposed on Alan Russell Woodfield, but he accepted Woodfield may
have had the equipment for a legitimate use.

Woodfield admitted charges of importing cannabis seeds and
cultivating cannabis.

The judge said that in March last year Customs in Auckland
intercepted packages containing cannabis seeds addressed to Woodfield.

A total of 30 plants, mostly immature, were found at his home, along
with partially assembled hydroponic equipment, which Woodfield
contended was going to be used to grow fruit and vegetables.

Prosecutor Zannah Johnston said that the inference was open that it
was a commercial operation, the nature of the set-up meaning a large
number of plants could be grown.

Lawyer Pip Hall said Woodfield's plan was to use the cannabis for his
medical problems. He intended to use the equipment to grow fruit and
vegetables and written material found nearby supported that.

The judge said that, given Woodfield's medical problems, jail would
be disproportionately severe.

He was sentenced to 250 hours community work and his computer and
hydroponic equipment were ordered to be destroyed.