WE'RE all familiar with the idea of growing and smoking your own marijuana for medicinal purposes, but what is the justice system's take on people who grow for educational purposes?

After being caught with a 1m tall marijuana plant in his back yard, Tallegalla man Trevor Leslie Walters told police he grew the plant to teach his adult son a lesson about the beauty of naturally grown green stuff.

It seemed the 54-year-old pensioner, who puffs to relieve chronic pain in his back and neck, is not much of a fan of the hydroponic variety of marijuana.

But prosecutor Constable Jo Colston told Ipswich Magistrates Court on Friday that police did not sympathise with Walters after he gave an explanation as to why he was growing the drug.

“He said he was growing it to show his son what a natural plant looked like compared to hydroponically grown cannabis,” Const Colston told the court.

Defence lawyer Shay Duce entered a plea of guilty on behalf of her client to one count of producing a dangerous drug. Walters was fined $400.

“Now you can show your son what a fine looks like,” Magistrate Donna MacCallum said.

© 2004 H.U.M.A.N.: Hemp Users Medical Access Network - Toronto Medical Marijuana