Weed farmer did it for his family

An unemployed young man who turned to planting cannabis to support his family has been advised that is not the only option available to him.

Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes chastised Shawn O’Neil Mayers after he pleaded guilty to four drug offences when he appeared in the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

Mayers, of West Road, Lodge Hill, St Michael, admitted to possessing, trafficking, intending to supply and cultivating the illegal drug on August 16, 2021.

In giving the facts, Sergeant Victoria Taitt said that around 9:45 a.m., police received certain information which led them to a bushy area in St Michael.

On arrival, they saw the accused tending to cannabis trees.

Police confiscated 63 trees, each about one foot tall, and 142 seedling crops. The trees had a total weight of 615 grammes with a street value of $3 075.

The first-time offender, who has two children and another on the way, told the court he started planting weed to take care of his family.

“Things had slowed down and there was nothing going on,” he said.

But the Chief Magistrate told Mayers that instead of doing something illegal he should have tried to access government resources.

“Did you go to the Welfare Department? Did you try to see if you could get some assistance?” Weekes asked him.

“You went to break the law to support your children but how many other people are going to do that? You should want your daughter to see you going in the right direction, not doing illegal things.”

Weekes also advised Mayers to speak to the Member of Parliament for his area as well as to the Opposition representative, as they may also be able to help.

However, he told Mayers he would give him a chance.

Magistrate Weekes reprimanded and discharged him on the possession, trafficking and intent to supply charges, and put him on a bond to keep the peace for nine months on the cultivation charge.

If he breaches that bond he will have to pay $1 500 forthwith or he will spend six months in prison.