An Angus man has been jailed for 60 days because of his “philosophy” that it was his right to use cannabis.
George Stewart was found with over £250 of the drug in Queen Street, Forfar, in January but the town’s sheriff court heard on Thursday that the heavy user thought he was entitled to use the class B substance.
Stewart (45), of Lilybank Crescent, Forfar, had 62 grams of cannabis. His lawyer told the court, “The drugs were for his own personal use. He almost adheres to a philosophy that he is entitled to use cannabis.”
He added, “Mr Stewart has a certain individual outlook on his rights and responsibilities and he is a fairly prodigious cannabis user.
“It is something he feels strongly about, it’s not just a whim. He has genuine beliefs.”
The lawyer said, “He is aware of the risk and he has a choice to make whether he uses it or not. I think what needs to take place here is a review of his own philosophy.”
The lawyer reminded the court that the charge facing the accused was one of possession and although the drugs were not a tiny quantity, their monetary value was what he described as modest.
He said, “I would hope that probation might be considered here because there are clearly underlying issues that are not being addressed.”
Sheriff Kevin Veal told Stewart he was concerned as the offence was committed when the accused was in the early stages of a community service order over a previous drug supply charge.
Sheriff Veal said, “If you are in the wider community you must abide by statute and the law states that cannabis is a proscribed drug.
“He will only listen to what he wants to hear and the only way to stop him in his tracks is to put him in custody.”