Case struck out against man growing cannabis for treatment

TADHG Moore (28) with an address at Mountain-gate, Cleariestown resorted to growing cannabis because he was suffering from chronic pain.

But the District Court was assured that he was no longer taking the drug and that his health had improved since his problems were properly diagnosed.

Gardaí who raided his home in Cleariestown discovered eight cannabis plants, with a notional value of €6,500.

Herbal cannabis, worth an estimated €100, was also seized as search warrants were executed on September 27, 2017.

Appearing for Moore, solicitor Lana Doherty told the court how her client had been in pain.

He had been misdiagnosed and at one stage he collapsed while at college in Cork and was rushed to hospital.

The pain led to stress and insomnia, as he might be unable to sleep for five days.

He took a year out from his studies and researched the benefits of cannabis-based oil for dealing with such difficulties.

His intention, explained Ms Doherty, was to harvest the oil from his plants in order to treat himself.

Instead, the cannabis was confiscated and around the same time he received a correct diagnosis, leading to successful surgery.

The court was told that as a result of this ‘corrective procedure’ the defendant had no need since of illicit drugs.

He was back in college and doing well at his studies, the court was informed.

Judge John Brennan pointed out that growing cannabis is against the law of the land.

However, he accepted that Moore had found himself in a most unusual situation, suffering from a serious condition which went unrecognised. The court ruled that the case would be struck out once €500 is paid to the Cornmarket Project by April 1.