MAGISTRATE UNMOVED BY 'MEDICAL MARIJUANA' DEFENCE

A "medical marijuana" argument failed to stand up in court for a
Devonshire man accused of cannabis possession.

Nicholas Pearman, 31, of Lookout Lane, told Senior Magistrate
Archibald Warner that he had been smoking "medically strong" cannabis
to treat the symptoms of the digestive complaint Crohn's Disease.

Magistrates' Court heard that Pearman was arrested on August 13,
2011, by police conducting a stop and search at the junction of
Palmetto Road and Bishop Spencer Road.

Crown counsel Susan Mulligan said the officers stopped a car at
9.35pm, and searched Pearman, the passenger, after noticing a strong
smell of cannabis smoke.

A joint and plastic twist of plant material were found in his tobacco
pouch, containing a total of 5.13 grams of the drug, and Pearman was arrested.

Pearman told Mr Warner he had suffered from Crohn's Disease for years
and that it could not be cured.

He said a local doctor had recommended smoking cannabis, which he
claimed was legal in the UK.

"Instead, I got it here and I've been smoking it ever since," said
Pearman, adding that he was an out patient at the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Centre.

Fining him $500, Mr Warner said: "Possession of drugs in this country
is illegal, and as long as you come before me with this foolishness
you are going to be dealt with."