CHCH MAN QUITS CORPORATE WORLD TO GROW CANNABIS

A Christchurch man who turned his back on the corporate world because
he did not think his work ethic was being rewarded turned to growing
cannabis instead.

When the police raided the Addington home of former Telecom IT expert
William Hape Carlton, 26, they found a hydroponics operation with 60
mature plants, described by drug squad detectives as "high quality".

They also found 73g of harvested cannabis and $1700
cash.

Carlton admitted growing, using, and selling the drug, pleaded guilty
to cultivation and dealing charges, and was sentenced to 21/2 years
jail.

He appealed the severity of the sentence and succeeded.

Justice Panckhurst in the High Court in Christchurch ruled the
original sentence was excessive and reduced to 21 months, opening the
option of serving it through home detention at Carlton's mother's house.

The judge said Carlton had worked several corporate jobs "but gave
them up, disillusioned because he felt that his work ethic and work
effort was not sufficiently recognised".

"The pre-sentence report ... tends to confirm the picture ... of
somebody of ability, with qualifications, but who through the use of
cannabis on a long-term and heavy basis, has lost direction and
motivation and instead committed his abilities to growing the drug and
selling it as well," he said.