Eden Local Court magistrate Doug Dick has thrown his support behind medicinal trials for cannabis.
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But Magistrate Dick stressed that at present the “law was the law” and if a driver was caught with cannabis in their system then they would lose their licence and be fined.
The magistrate made the comments Wednesday morning as 10 drivers were listed for sentencing in Eden Local Court after being caught for driving motor vehicles while under the influence of illicit drugs.
As the accused appeared before him one by one, Magistrate Dick handed out $400 fines and disqualified them from driving for three months – well short of the maximum penalty.
He said their choice was simple – they could either take drugs or drive. But they could not do both.
“A medicinal trial can’t come soon enough,” Magistrate Dick said, adding he was expressing his personal view.
One offender, who is on a disability pension, said he had a spinal condition and was in pain 24 hours a day.
Another offender, who walked with the aid of a stick, said he had undergone back surgery and claimed his doctor had suggested he try cannabis as a means of controlling the pain.
But other offenders were recreational drug users without medical conditions.
Magistrate Dick told one young offender that his reduced fine would still “bruise” his wallet.
The offender, who was accompanied to court by his mother, produced character references, with the magistrate noting that the referees were disappointed by his behaviour and, referring to his mother, added “she’s not smiling either”.
The magistrate told him to change his ways and “make Mum proud”. He also told him to “get the word out to all your mates” about the consequences of driving while under the influence of illicit drugs.
Some of the offenders pleaded with the magistrate, saying that losing their driving licences would put their jobs in jeopardy.
A fisherman said he needed his licence to travel to work, and sometimes the boats were in Bermagui or Lakes Entrance.
Another offender said he had to drive his father to a renal facility in Bega.
In most cases the offenders were nabbed by police during random roadside tests to which they tested negative for alcohol.