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Australia: Pot smoker claims drug was used devoutly: court

Emma Spillet

Illawarra Mercury

Tuesday 07 Feb 2012

A Wollongong man caught growing cannabis on his balcony claimed the drugs were for religious purposes, arguing he smoked pot as part of his long-term Rastafarian spiritual path, a court has heard.

James Lee Steffen professed to reaching a 'priest-like' level of spirituality in the Rasta movement and as a 'devout practitioner' believed smoking dope was a spiritual act, Wollongong Local Court was told yesterday.

Steffen, representing himself, admitted to being interested in the Rastafari way of life since age 14, telling the court he had been using pot as a form of sacrament for many years.

The 32-year-old was nabbed late last year cultivating five marijuana plants in his unit, admitting to watering and fertilising the seeds for personal use.

Police from the Wollongong Drug Unit attended Steffen's home about noon on December 21, responding to information regarding drug use at the unit, facts before the court said.

Steffen invited officers into his apartment and immediately admitted to having drugs and paraphernalia in the house.

Police searched the unit, spotting a bong on a table before they noticed five cannabis plants growing in pots outside.

When officers questioned Steffen about the drugs, he then retrieved a plastic bag of cannabis from under a cushion and handed it to police, the facts said.

Steffen immediately admitted to growing the plants, watering and fertilising them for personal use and also told police he had paid $150 for the bagged dope, buying about 10g of pot for his own use.

He yesterday pleaded guilty to cultivating a prohibited plant and possessing a prohibited plant.

He told the court he had planned to grow the drugs for himself but had bought cannabis as the plants weren’t big enough yet for harvesting.

The court heard Steffen had also used pot to relieve stress.

Magistrate Les Mabbutt fined Steffen $1050 for both offences.

http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/news/local/news/general/pot-smoker-claims-drug-was-used-devoutly-court/2447367.aspx

 

 

 

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