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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: We'll Help You Grow drug Suzy Gibson Leicester Mercury Wednesday 30 Apr 2008 Andrew Stuart Woolhouse, who ran Easy Grow, in Abbey Lane, Leicester, was prosecuted in the first case of its kind in Leicestershire. The 50-year-old, who advertised the apparatus on the internet, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to inciting people to produce cannabis, between August 2004 and March 2007. He was given a one-year jail sentence, suspended for two years, and placed on a 6pm to 6am home curfew for six months. James Thomas, prosecuting, told Leicester Crown Court Woolhouse sold the equipment, including lighting apparatus and hydroponics watering systems, from his Easy Grow store in Abbey Lane, Leicester. Police were also aware he had placed an advert on the internet. The business offered to supply cannabis seeds and skunk seeds, plant food and lighting and watering systems for growing cannabis at home. The advert claimed to have "experienced and friendly staff" willing to give advice and tips on cannabis growing. An undercover police officer went to the premises, where the defendant agreed to supply cannabis growing equipment. Mr Thomas said: "There were cannabis seeds in abundance, with a display offering 23 varieties of seed." Mr Thomas said officers went to the defendant's home, in Armadale Drive, Netherhall, Leicester, and discovered a small hydroponics system with a dozen plants growing in his loft, as well as 264 grams of cannabis. They found £61,550 in cash - most of which he said was inherited from his sister and the rest was savings from his earnings. It was not suggested that he supplied the equipment to large-scale cannabis factory outlets. At an earlier hearing, the court heard there were a number of such shops but Easy Grow was the first to be prosecuted by Leicestershire police. Woodhouse admitted he had been growing cannabis at home for four or five years. He accepted placing an advert on the internet, but the wording was not in accordance with his instructions and he had unsuccessfully tried to remove it. He claimed that the cannabis seeds were being sold as souvenirs. Although it is not against the law to sell the items, by doing so he was inciting others to illegally grow the class C drug. The court was told Easy Grow has closed. Judge Christopher Plunkett said: "I accept you were supplying to small-scale home growers and not industrial suppliers of cannabis." However, he said: "This conduct is wholly unacceptable."
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