JUDGE SHOWS OFF DRUG KNOWLEDGE

A judge has warned drug offenders can't pull the wool over the eyes
of courts familiar with what goes on in the drug world.

Judge Lindsay Moore had the public gallery in the Rotorua District
Court yesterday roaring with laughter as he shared his knowledge of
"tinnies", "buddha sticks" and "skunk".

But he explained there was good reason for "showing off" his drug knowledge.

"Characters" like Damian Anthony Check, who had pleaded guilty to
possessing cannabis, breaching community work and driving while
disqualified, needed to know that judges understood how the world
worked, he said.

Check, who was caught with 10g of cannabis, told police it was only
enough for 10 cannabis cigarettes.

Judge Moore said in his day "we didn't have tinnies, we had buddha sticks".

"You'd get 2.8g to 3g in a buddha stick, now it's down to under a
gram". Check was stood down yesterday for his sentencing to be dealt
with at a later date.