Drug-offender caught with cannabis plants claims he used the drug to ease pain

Sheffield Magistrates’ Court heard on November 12 how James Edwards, aged 35, of Scotia Drive, Deep Pit, Sheffield, admitted producing a quantity of cannabis and to possessing cannabis after police raided his home on August 13, 2019.

Mark Hughes, prosecuting, said: “The defendant was charged with the production of cannabis with a quantity consistent with personal use and with the possession of cannabis.”

Mr Hughes added that police found four cannabis plants and a suspected fifth plant, a growing tent, a fan and a timer and the defendant said the drugs were for his personal use.

Edwards pleaded guilty to producing a quantity of cannabis and to possessing cannabis.

Kathryn Lill, defending, said one of the plants was not “viable” and was destroyed.

She added Edwards was growing cannabis for health reasons to deal with pain because he suffers from a previously dislocated right knee and from a stab wound to his left arm.

Edwards suffered the knee injury as a youngster, according to Ms Lill, and he also suffers from a stab wound to his arm where he had needed surgery to reconnect the tendons.

Ms Lill said Edwards still gets shooting pains in his left arm and she added that pain-killers have not been very effective.

She said he has discussed the situation with his doctor and he feels cannabis is more effective for his pain relief.

Ms Lill added: “He started to use cannabis to try and alleviate the pain and it was for his own personal use.”

Edwards also started growing cannabis plants so he could avoid having to associate with drug-dealers, according to Ms Lill.

She added: “He’s learned his lesson the hard way if you try to grow cannabis yourself.”

Magistrates sentenced Edwards to a four-week community order with a four-week curfew running daily between 6pm to 6am with an electronic tag.

Edwards must also pay £85 costs and a £90 victim surcharge.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to The Star website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Visit https://www.thestar.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Thank you

Nancy Fielder, editor