Cannabis use for back pain costs man $1500 in court
SELF medication to treat ongoing pain after suffering back injuries has cost Ian MacIntosh $1500.
The cannabis plant grower was reminded in Gladstone Magistrates Court that although medical cannabis trials are ongoing the use of the drug remains illegal.
MacIntosh, a disability pensioner, pleaded guilty to producing cannabis at his home in November.
Defence lawyer Cassandra Ditchfield said he suffered serious back injuries and fractured spine that had to be fused but this left him with ongoing pain.
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She said MacIntosh was using a prescribed opiate based medication but stopped it because of adverse side effects. Magistrate Penelope Hay said pain was often a reason given by people for engaging in an illegal act of growing cannabis for their own use.
She said she was satisfied the offence was outside his good character. He was fined $1500.
