A MOUNT Gambier man who was found with over 840g of cannabis in his vehicle has been given a suspended sentence for possessing it for supply.
Clinton Toohey appeared in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court on Tuesday to be sentenced for the offending.
The prosecution said the defendant was stopped driving in Naracoorte on December 9, 2017 and they located a large amount of cannabis wrapped in plastic.
Toohey told police he had driven to Adelaide and was returning to Mount Gambier, but forgot the cannabis was in the car.
The defendant’s lawyer said Toohey grew the cannabis for pain relief and had been smoking it for a large part of his life.
“Smoking cannabis works better than prescribed pain medication,” he said.
“He is a frequent user it is as simple as that.”
Defence counsel submitted the community’s attitude towards cannabis was changing and it may be made legal for medicinal purposes.
However, he accepted it was not legal yet.
Magistrate Teresa Anderson said it was currently illegal to carry cannabis.
“All of the cannabis was yours and on occasion you would supply it to others,” Magistrate Anderson said.
“This is a serious offence.”
Magistrate Anderson sentenced Toohey to six months imprisonment, but suspended it on him entering into a two- year good behaviour bond.
Toohey will be supervised for 12 months of the bond and Magistrate Anderson said his drug use will be monitored for the duration of supervision.
