A Tasmanian man who poured more than $10,000 into a “relatively sophisticated” cannabis growing setup has avoided jail, with a Supreme Court judge choosing drug treatment over prison time.
Joshua James Jackson, 37, pleaded guilty to trafficking 7.06 kilograms of cannabis and cultivating 97 plants at his home.
The court heard Jackson’s system allowed him to complete four grow cycles in a year, providing a steady supply of cannabis.
Justice Michael Brett described the setup as “modest but capable of being sustained on a commercial basis over the long term”.
He said the cannabis seized had an estimated street value between $23,200 and $52,968, while the 97 plants could have produced product worth between $46,875 and $105,000.
“Although the police located and downloaded the contents of your phone and found relevant messages on it, I have not been provided with any significant information concerning the extent of the actual trafficking activity,” Justice Brett said.
The court was told Jackson turned to drugs in 2018 when he was injured working as a forklift driver.
He initially used methylamphetamine for pain relief, before switching to cannabis and eventually growing and selling it on a larger scale.
While Jackson had past convictions for driving offences, assault and dishonesty, this was his first drug-related offence.
Justice Brett acknowledged his early guilty plea and full cooperation with police.
“Notwithstanding your lack of prior convictions for drug matters, having regard to the extent of the trafficking and cultivation activity, I would have imposed a modest sentence of imprisonment without suspending any of it,” Justice Brett said.
“However, in view of your expressed wish to give up drugs and move away from drug-related activity, I am satisfied that it is appropriate to make a drug treatment order.”
