Pubdate: Fri, 08 Jun 2001
Source: Press, The (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2001 The Christchurch Press Company Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.press.co.nz/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/349

MAN ARGUES KILO OF DRUG WAS FOR SELF-MEDICATION

A convicted drug dealer from the West Coast has been jailed after being 
caught with almost a kilogram of high-quality cannabis, which he claimed 
was a year's personal supply to deal with his chronic back pain.

Christchurch District Court Judge Stephen Erber said the 945g of cannabis 
found with Kumara sawmiller David Ian Houlahan, 39, was worth $8200, and 
that value would have been even higher when it was packaged for sale in 
bullet form.

Notwithstanding his claim that he self-medicated with cannabis to deal with 
chronic pain problems and had bought a year's supply in one hit, Houlahan 
pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis for sale on the basis that some of 
it would have been sold.

The judge said Houlahan had an extensive criminal history, including a 
previous jail term nine years ago for cannabis dealing, and had been caught 
with a set of electronic scales.

It was likely that a significant amount of the cannabis would have been sold.

David Ruth, defending, said Houlahan turned to cannabis after doctors 
became concerned at his "outrageous" consumption of Pethidine to control 
his back pain. He now accepted he would have to resort to prescribed 
methods of pain relief.

Judge Erber said Houlahan's possession of the cannabis had a strong 
commercial element, making a jail term inevitable. He was sentenced to 15 
months jail, and the judge refused to open the way for Houlahan to apply 
for home detention, finding instead that the defendant was likely to 
continue using cannabis.
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