Big cannabis plantation ‘for own use’

A Waimate man admitted growing a large quantity of cannabis when he appeared in the Timaru District Court on Tuesday.

Police found 332 grams of cannabis plant material in two large plastic bags and 108 cannabis plants, at various stages of growth, in a set-up in a garage at the rear of Daniel Shadrach Gilchrist’s property during a search on October 21.

Sergeant Trevor Howard told Judge Dominic Dravitzki the operation involved tents being full of the cannabis plants in the garage along with various cannabisgrowing paraphernalia.

‘‘The defendant said it was for his personal use,’’ Howard said.

Judge Dravitzki said he would not enter convictions ‘‘at this point’’ until he received more information into the defendant’s medical circumstances.

‘‘He doesn’t have any previous drug convictions. This is a lot of a cannabis.’’

Judge Dravitzki, in remanding Gilchrist on bail for sentencing on February 16, 2023, ordered a number of reports to be completed including an assessment for an electronically-monitored sentence of community detention.

‘‘If discharge without conviction is to be pursued then that information will need to be filed by January 23.’’