Man told to prove cannabis was for pain relief

A man has been told to produce medical evidence that he was growing cannabis for pain relief and had only resorted to its use after orthodox medicine failed.

Mathew Gray of Baurearagh, Kilgarvan, Co Kerry had six cannabis plants in a shed, a small amount of herbal cannabis in a box and another amount concealed in the speaker of an audio system when gardaí with a warrant searched his home on Mar 3, 2012, Inspector Fearghal Patwell outlined at Kenmare District Court yesterday. Gardaí had valued the find at €4,400.

Mr Gray was charged with possession, possession with intent to supply and with cultivation on that date.

Mr Gray, who works as an electrician, had been involved in a road accident in 2005 and had become dependant on cannabis for pain relief, his solicitor Padraig O’Connell said.

He was “absolutely not” growing the cannabis for sale or supply and only ever smoked it when he was on his own, rather than socially, because of the stigma attached to it. “He was supplying himself to relieve his pain,” the solicitor said.

Judge James O’Connor adjourned the case to Jun 7.