A Fife man started a cannabis farm with a street value of £33,500 in an industrial unit.
The cultivation was detected by a passing police officer who noticed a strong smell of cannabis.
The cannabis plants were in soil and an irrigation system was created, but the Crown accepted 58-year-old Colin Shields’ claims the unit was for personal use and not a commercial venture.
Shields, of Alder Place, Methil, admitted on February 16 last year at Unit 1, Kennoway Burns, Kennoway, producing a controlled drug.
He also admitted possession of cannabis with intent to supply it.
A police officer passing the unit detected the smell of cannabis, said depute fiscal Claire Bremner, and permission was given to search the premises.
“There were 51 cannabis plants recovered and also a quantity of herbal matter,” said Ms Bremner.
“The plants had a potential street value of £25,500 and the herbal matter £8,000.”
Shields accepted ownership of the plants. He admitted he had difficulties with arthritis and had been smoking cannabis to ease those difficulties.
Ms Bremner said Shields accepted from time to time he may have given some to friends but this was not on a commercial basis.
Sheriff Charles MacNair asked if the Crown believed Shields’ story that he was “not receiving a penny piece for any of this?”, and the depute fiscal confirmed it was accepted it was not being grown to be sold.
Sheriff MacNair called for reports and Shields will be sentenced on March 2.