Drugs case adjourned for evidence from expert witness

A COURT case against two men accused of having cannabis with a street value of £1,120 has been adjourned to await evidence from a expert witness in drug quantities.

The men, John McLean of Kinloss Close, High Valleyfield, Fife, and Geoffrey Gladwell, of Dun Bheag, Ruaig, Tiree were jointly accused of having four 100g blocks of cannabis near to Corran Brae, Oban on January 6, 2016.

McLean, 55 and Gladwell, 53, deny the charge of possession and supply, claiming the Class B drug was for personal use.

Giving evidence at Oban Sheriff Court, Police Scotland’s expert on drugs and quantities, Constable John Hose said: ‘ There are no findings [ I have researched] that say cannabis resin is helpful in the treatment of medical conditions.

‘ It is generally cannabis oil that people use. It is a cannabidiol and can be found in medical cannabis.

‘I have never found any evidence that cannabis resin can be used for pain relief.’

Asked if large quantities of cannabis could be ‘stockpiled’ for personal use, Mr Hose said: ‘Cannabis can depreciate over a short period of time’.

When officers asked Gladwell why he was carrying £932 in cash, on the night of the arrest, the court was told it was for ‘shopping in charity shops, something he likes to do in Oban.’

The case was adjourned until August 16 for the defence case to be heard. McLean and Gladwell are on bail while the case continues.

As part of the same case, Gladwell previously pled guilty to possession of cannabis and McLean to having Diazepam.