Man a 'heavy' cannabis user

A Murchison man whose house contained 10 cannabis plants and a purpose-built growing room told the police he was a heavy user and the drugs were all for his own use.

In Nelson District Court yesterday Barry Colin Harrington admitted charges of cultivating cannabis and possessing cannabis plants, and possessing cannabis seeds.

Prosecuting sergeant Chris Stringer said when the police went inside Harrington's house, there were 1.7 kilograms of cannabis drying in the lounge and processed cannabis in small tins. The police then found a purpose-built growing room, with timers and light filters, containing 10 healthy cannabis plants about 80 centimetres tall.

There were also 400 cannabis seeds, and 16 cannabis seedlings outside near a garage.

He told the police he was a heavy user and all the cannabis was for his own use.

He had three previous convictions for cannabis cultivation.

Judge David McKegg convicted and remanded Harrington on bail for sentencing on November 5.

- © Fairfax NZ News