‘Ganja’ medicine draws fine

Junior Smith, a painter, pleaded guilty to possession of 1.5 grammes of marijuana when he appeared before Magistrate Avason Quinlan.

In his defence, Smith said he suffered from asthma and at the time of his arrest, he was ill and was using the illegal herb to ease his asthma. He said that he also used prescription drugs for his ailment.

Before imposing the fine, magistrate Quinlan cautioned Smith to stick with legal drugs to deal with his asthma or any other ailment. She told him he had a month to make the payment. However, Smith declined, saying he did not need so much time and could pay the fine in a week.

Smith was arrested on August 12 at North Coast Road, Maracas.