FruityBud
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A RIBBLE Valley man who was caught growing cannabis in a van outside his home has insisted his motive was to help others.
But the judge at Preston Crown Court advised John Ashworth to apply to the Home office for a licence if he wanted to carry out scientific research.
Ashworth, 46, of Branch Road, Mellor Brook, admitted cultivating cannabis but told the court that other people had been helped by the health benefits from his efforts.
Ashworth was given a 35-week prison sentence suspended for two years, and placed under a two-month home curfew between 9pm and 6am.
He was also ordered to do 150 hours unpaid work for the community.
Judge Norman Wright told him: "You must understand that what you have done is against the law.
Patrick Ryan, prosecuting, said 35 plants were being grown in a Mercedes van outside the defendant's home. The police visited in March this year.
He told the court: "The crown accept it was not a sophisticated operation. About half of the plants were maturing."
Ashworth had several drug related convictions. Back in 1996 he was jailed by Burnley Crown Court for cultivating cannabis and possessing cannabis.
The defendant, who represented himself, said he had studied chemistry and biology and he had originally set out to grow and distribute herbs, to show young people that ecstasy was not the "right way".
He went on to explain how he had started experimenting with oil based herbs, by breaking them down.
"Previously I had half a dozen elderly people who took this stuff in olive oil. I know it can help people," he said.
"I know what I am doing is important and so do the elderly, or other people who try this stuff in olive oil."
The judge told Ashworth in passing sentence "You must understand that whatever you feel about what should be lawful we exist in a democratic society where Parliament has decided that growing cannabis is a criminal offence.
"If you want to engage in some form of scientfic research, you can apply to the Home Office for a licence.
"Whether they will grant you one is another matter.
"It's the right way to go about it, not for you to do open experimentation in your own premises.
hxxp://tinyurl.com/64fxs8
But the judge at Preston Crown Court advised John Ashworth to apply to the Home office for a licence if he wanted to carry out scientific research.
Ashworth, 46, of Branch Road, Mellor Brook, admitted cultivating cannabis but told the court that other people had been helped by the health benefits from his efforts.
Ashworth was given a 35-week prison sentence suspended for two years, and placed under a two-month home curfew between 9pm and 6am.
He was also ordered to do 150 hours unpaid work for the community.
Judge Norman Wright told him: "You must understand that what you have done is against the law.
Patrick Ryan, prosecuting, said 35 plants were being grown in a Mercedes van outside the defendant's home. The police visited in March this year.
He told the court: "The crown accept it was not a sophisticated operation. About half of the plants were maturing."
Ashworth had several drug related convictions. Back in 1996 he was jailed by Burnley Crown Court for cultivating cannabis and possessing cannabis.
The defendant, who represented himself, said he had studied chemistry and biology and he had originally set out to grow and distribute herbs, to show young people that ecstasy was not the "right way".
He went on to explain how he had started experimenting with oil based herbs, by breaking them down.
"Previously I had half a dozen elderly people who took this stuff in olive oil. I know it can help people," he said.
"I know what I am doing is important and so do the elderly, or other people who try this stuff in olive oil."
The judge told Ashworth in passing sentence "You must understand that whatever you feel about what should be lawful we exist in a democratic society where Parliament has decided that growing cannabis is a criminal offence.
"If you want to engage in some form of scientfic research, you can apply to the Home Office for a licence.
"Whether they will grant you one is another matter.
"It's the right way to go about it, not for you to do open experimentation in your own premises.
hxxp://tinyurl.com/64fxs8
