Drug 'test' for pain costs $900

A man caught with methamphetamine had tried smoking it to relieve his back pain, the Blenheim District Court has been told.

Mark Richard Lindsay, 35, of Blenheim, pleaded guilty to possessing one gram of methamphetamine, possessing utensils, cultivating cannabis and possessing cannabis.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Steve Frost said officers searched Lindsay's house on October 26 and found two cannabis plants in the garage, cannabis seedlings and the methamphetamine.

Mr Frost told the court that Lindsay admitted the drugs were his and said he smoked the cannabis to relieve chronic back and knee pain.

Lindsay told police he started growing cannabis because he was tired of having to buy it.

Defence lawyer Philip Watson said Lindsay was experimenting with methamphetamine to see what effect it would have on his pain.

Mr Watson requested name suppression for Lindsay as the self-employed tiler was worried that publication would affect his chances of getting work.

But Judge Paul Whitehead denied the request.

"There is a need for public awareness of this type of crime and publication itself is, of course, part of the penalty," he said.

Lindsay was convicted on all four charges and fined $900.

- NZPA