Drug for pain relief, court told

MEDICINE?: A man charged with cultivating cannabis says he uses it to alleviate pain.PHOTO/FILE

A Masterton man facing a charge of cultivating cannabis says he uses it to treat chronic pain from a leg injury.

In Masterton District court on Thursday, Brian Lee Turley pleaded guilty in front of Judge Tom Broadmore and adamantly argued the plants were not part of a supply chain.

"I use it as medicine," he said.

"I have a chronic leg injury, I was hit by a car."

Police prosecutor sergeant Garry Wilson said police located several almost-mature plants about 1m in height, under a bedroom in Mr Turley's house.

"He said he was growing it so he didn't have to deal with drug dealers."

Sergeant Wilson said he couldn't be confident about whether it was a commercial or personal operation but the number of plants was a concern because of the possible yields and the sophisticated growing processes used.

There was doubt it was for the defendant's own use, he said.

"I'm concerned because a number of plants were stripped of their foliage."

Mr Turley interrupted Sergeant Wilson saying he had "smoked 'em in a week".

Judge Tom Broadmore said the purpose of the operation was arguable.

"Just because a growing set-up is reasonably sophisticated doesn't mean it's for supply," he said.

"Police think there were 22 plants valued at around $15-20,000.

"The quantity that you get for the plants is suspect."

Judge Broadmore said police would need more time to investigate the case.

He remanded Mr Turley at large to appear in court on March 20 and advised him to bring medical evidence of his leg condition.

In the past four years, there have been five similar cases in Masterton District Court with joint pain, shoulder pain and neck and back pain given as reasons for growing cannabis.