WOMAN GREW 80 CANNABIS PLANTS FOR HUSBAND'S PAIN

A 68-year-old Waimate caregiver has admitted growing cannabis plants to
assist with her husband's pain relief.

It was the first time Dawn Sarah Willis had appeared in a courtroom in her
life, Timaru District Court was told.

But Judge Edward Ryan commented it was somewhat of a spectacular entry.

Police found 80 cannabis plants in her garden and she also handed over 12
grams of leaf material, a large pot of cannabis cooked with butter, and 13
loaves and two small cakes containing cannabis butter.

Defence counsel Norm Scott said none of the facts was disputed but it was
clear there was no evidence the defendant was going to sell any of the
cannabis plants.

Willis' husband suffered a stroke which left him incapacitated, and the
cannabis provided some relief for his condition.

Judge Ryan said there were processes which those who wanted to use cannabis
for medicinal purposes could apply, but admitted there had never been a
successful application.

He added, however, that it was against the law to cultivate and use cannabis.

"What do you expect police to do when they come across something like this
in your back yard? You don't expect them to look the other way"? he said.

He sentenced Willis to 100 hours' community work.