Cannabis was more than just for own use
A JUDGE rejected the Crown Prosecution Service's case that a cannabis crop was being cultivated for commercial purposes and gave the grower a community order.
Daniel Saunders' 12 cuttings amounted to a "clearly commercial" enterprise, Bristol Crown Court was told.
But Saunders told Judge Martin Picton he was growing for himself and may have sold to a small number of close friends.
Saunders, 31, of Filton Avenue, Horfield, pleaded guilty to producing the Class B drug.
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He was ordered to do 240 hours of unpaid work and pay £250 costs.
Judge Picton told him: "Growing cannabis is a criminal offence. Growing it and sharing it with your mates is a more serious offence."
Robert Reid, prosecuting, told the court: "This was production of cannabis, a small enterprise but clearly commercial.
"There were admissions it was for a money-making purpose."
At this point Sarah Iles, defending, clarified her client had grown a small amount of cannabis for his personal use and may have supplied a small group of friends socially. The judge determined the two sides' difference in a special hearing, by asking Saunders to give evidence.
Saunders told the judge: "My intention was to grow it for personal use and sell to five or six friends. They are very close friends. I've known them for years. I had not sold any and I was drying it at the time.
"I had no intention of selling it on the streets."
Mr Reid asked Saunders why he had digital scales with traces of cannabis, and Saunders told him he had checked cannabis he had previously bought.
Mr Reid said the cannabis found could have been worth several thousands of pounds, far exceeding personal consumption.
Saunders told him: "Those figures are way over the top."
Judge Picton found Saunders was growing cannabis for himself with a view to sell some to close fellow-users.




Comments
by alan_hobday
Tuesday, October 30 2012, 9:22PM
“Thank you so much for proving us right, Mr Red Arrow Man.”
by alan_hobday
Tuesday, October 30 2012, 2:04PM
“SourAlienOG asks "Why doesn't the red arrower have something to say? "
I would say it's because he/she knows that there is no morally defensible argument that can be made in support of prohibition.”
by SourAlienOG
Monday, October 29 2012, 9:26PM
“Why doesn't the red arrower have something to say? LOL nothing intelligent to throw into the debate? So instead of forming a factual argument, you sit there like a sad pathetic troll clicking on the red arrow icon. And it seems to be aimed mostly at me? Whys that? Maybe a certain troll has been banned from this site...and its only communication is in the form of red arrow manipulation. Its quite amusing, but in the same way as a joke not being that funny any more.
You must be at the ready, since it was only less that half hour ago i wrote those two comments. I challenge you to come forward, contribute to the discussion, because your fooling no one. Have your say instead of sitting there like a low life nobody, constantly waiting for an intelligent anti prohibition post so you can swoop in like superman and save the day with red arrows. What a deluded misguided troll you are lol. In fact, if you are not deluded and misguided, you are either a drug dealer or a part of the alcohol lobby. Otherwise whats your drive? Psychological problems maybe? Too much time on your hands? Hmm...trying to comprehend the mindset of such an oaf is futile i guess.
In the not too distant future, when people buy their cannabis from licensed outlets, are you going to stand in front of the store red arrowing people? LOL Pathetic and weird and only damaging your cause with an obvious display of ignorance and behaviour comparable to a stalker. Disgusting is an understatement.”
by SourAlienOG
Monday, October 29 2012, 8:52PM
“Jimenez47
Well then, you will be happy to hear that prevention, education and therapy isn't just cheaper than prohibition, its actually much more effective at reducing use and associated crime. But our lovely government are not interested in a real harm reduction strategy when cowardice, greed and vested interest gets in the way. :(”
by SourAlienOG
Monday, October 29 2012, 8:42PM
“Raverbaby-1
Your using logic, common sense and intelligence...prohibitionists have none of these things. Its like trying to teach a caveman about quantum physics, they simply cannot comprehend, in fact they dont want to even try and understand the reality... Which saddens me in 2012.
Real prohibitionists, the more coherent ones with hidden agendas - Politicians, Journalists and drug dealers ( as in street dealers and alcohol companies )”
by Raverbaby-1
Monday, October 29 2012, 1:30PM
“and there you go...BOOOOM!!! the red arrow massive who by virtue of their silence are slowly and unknowingly weakening their own arguement!!!!
the fact that 9 (at time of writing) of you felt so compelled to red arrow my comment tells me that you disagreed with what i had written in my post. that is more than fair enough.
the fact that not one of you 9 (at time of writing) could offer a logical rebuttal as to why you disagreed tells me that my previous comments were correct.
"you cant come up with a sensible, logical, educated and informed reason as to why you feel so strongly about the subject, instead you silently sit there clicking on the red arrows"
Lastly - i know the question i asked in my previous comment isnt exactly rocket science, but i really cant understand why it seems so hard for certain people to answer.
Maybe you could try this one – you might find it a bit easier….surely your un-addled brains will be able to answer this no problem right??
Why do you believe the current situation where criminals get rich and decide to whom they supply the drug is preferential to the government regulating the supply, benefitting from the profits and creating a large number of jobs and a new industry??”
by Jimenez47
Monday, October 29 2012, 1:07PM
“I'm in favour of legalising most drugs. I'm also in favour of dismantling the army of health, police & social care jobs that depend on the 'victims'. If you commit crimes, can't hold down a job or your life goes down the toilet because of dependency don't expect the state to bail you out.”
by Raverbaby-1
Monday, October 29 2012, 12:42PM
“@Jimbob
nice one - LOL.
i did have my suspicions...”
by JimBob
Monday, October 29 2012, 12:18PM
“Raverbaby, allow me to give you a reason on behalf of those among us who want to see cannabis kept illegal and for the growers and users to be punished for all eternity in the depths of Satan's lair…….it's because we are very, very stupid.......OK?”
by Raverbaby-1
Monday, October 29 2012, 11:19AM
“@SourAlienOG
You are so spot on with all you say - even down to the red-arrow brigade - the pathetic group of people who feel soooo strongly about keeping cannabis illegal that the best they can come up with is clicking on a red arrow?!?!
they cant come up with a sensible, logical, educated and informed reason as to why they feel so strongly about the subject, instead they silently sit there clicking on the red arrows. i have had numerous debates on here about this topic and i have yet to read a genuine reason for keeping prohibition in place. every arguement against legislation is based upon ignorance, media/goverment propaganda or antiquated views. i have however had ridiculous amounts of red arrows against my comments.
they cant even understand that prohibition is failing and by insisting on keeping cannabis illegal they are effectively giving the dealers/criminals carte blanche to carry on making huge sums of money whilst indiscriminately supplying the young and the vulnerable - the very group of people most of you use in your arguements as those you want to protect. how blind can you be????
ive asked this before but have yet to recieve a single reply and i dont hold out much hope now but here it goes...please can someone from the red arrow massive please explain why they believe that Prohibition is working, depsite the fact that it is easier than ever to obtain the drug irrespective of your age?? i dont need to know the reasons that you dislike the drug i just want you to actually use the key board to type something rather than just clicking a mouse button.”