Hownam 71-year-old fined £750 for growing cannabis

Eion Melrose, 71, pleaded guilty to producing cannabis at his house at Hownam, near Morebattle, on April 28.

Depute fiscal Fiona Hamilton said that police found three mature plants in a bedroom there, plus 12 seedling plants and four other plants yet to fully mature.

Defence lawyer Ross Dow said his client had been smoking cannabis for 40 years and had decided to grow his own so he wouldn’t need to pay for it anymore.

He explained that Melrose is in favour of the legalisation of cannabis, claiming it had helped him with his arthritis and in refraining from alcohol.

Mr Dow added that his client worries what will happen if he stops smoking cannabis.

Sheriff Donald Ferguson, however, said the UK Government also has strong views about people growing their own cannabis, adding: “It’s illegal and it’s a serious matter.”

The sheriff reduced Melrose’s fine from £1,200 to £750 due to his guilty plea.