Judge Pugsley described it as a "foul crime" because it led to the risk of addiction to other drugs."

"Judge Pugsley described it as a "foul crime" because it led to the risk of addiction to other drugs."

So is he saying we should punish people that grow or use cannabis because other people that take cannabis later take addictive drugs?

If that is so, then should we not be punishing those that drink coffee (itself quite addictive and certainly a drug) because some coffee drinkers later take more addictive drugs?

Should we not then argue to punish people with toy guns because some of them go on to get real guns and commit terrible crimes - or stop the licensing of guns completely - or punish all drivers because some drive too fast and have terrible accidents?

Or could we not simplify the law and only prosecute and punish those with victims?

http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Derby-judge-s-jail-threat-arthritic-gardener/story-21144213-detail/story.html

Derby judge's jail threat to arthritic gardener who grew cannabis

Derby Telegraph
Monday 26 May 2014

A GARDENER who has smoked cannabis for many years to alleviate pain from arthritis rented a cottage so he could grow the drug. Julian Pinnington started renting the property about a year ago and set up cannabis-growing systems in two of the bedrooms.

The 43-year-old admitted producing cannabis but said that it was primarily for his own use.

However, he accepted that, if there had been a large yield, he would have sold the drug to offset the £350 monthly rent he paid for the cottage.

Derby Crown Court was told that a drugs expert estimated that the potential yield of the operation was 1.5kg to 4kg and could have sold for between £9,720 and £40,500.

Judge David Pugsley handed Pinnington, of Lyndale Drive, Codnor, a 12-month jail sentence, suspended for a year.

And the judge said: "I'm sorry, you don't spend £350 a month on rent, never mind the equipment, if you don't intend to produce a significant amount of cannabis – unless you are a complete buffoon.

"A suspended sentence in your case is not a light sentence as, if you smoke cannabis, you will be sent to prison. My advice is you give it up."

Judge Pugsley described it as a "foul crime" because it led to the risk of addiction to other drugs.

Sarah Allen, prosecuting, said that police found three growing tents and 30 cannabis plants in the property in Oakerthorpe, as well as evidence of a previous crop.

She said that Pinnington's fingerprints were found on the growing equipment.

Miss Allen said: "He was arrested and he admitted he had been a user of cannabis for many years and suffered from arthritis and used it to alleviate the pain from that."

He told police he used about £60 to £70 of cannabis a week.

The court heard that Pinnington, who was self-employed as a gardener, had no previous convictions and was a family and community man.

Nicola Hunter, in mitigation, said Pinnington had started renting the cottage after he received compensation as a result of a car accident.

She said: "He decided to use the money to set up a cannabis grow. "His view at the time was: 'If I grow my own, I can grow a huge supply for myself.'

"He says he has never previously sold any and the previous grow was a catastrophe and produced nothing."

Pinnington will be supervised by the probation service for a year. This supervision includes a drug rehabilitation requirement.