Man ‘followed’ friends into marijuana habit

A Long Look resident, who indicated in court that his friends influenced him to start using marijuana, has pleaded guilty to possession of 9.4 grams of the illegal substance.

Curtis Eddy, 26, said he was “young and dumb” when he committed the offence three months ago.

“I learn my lesson. I had an accident with my foot; I was stressing… please have mercy on me,” he beseeched Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards.

The senior magistrate said: “You were ‘young and dumb’ but you’ve matured a lot since February?”

Reports from the prosecution are that, on February 6, police officers were on mobile patrol in Trellis Bay when they smelt a ‘strong scent of cannabis’.

The scent was emanating from a parked vehicle, the court heard.

The police who found Eddy inside the parked vehicle conducted a search.

They reportedly discovered a plastic bottle containing green vegetable matter.

When cautioned, Eddy reportedly told the law enforcers: “I have a little marijuana. I had it from yesterday; I have a bout six dime bags.”

He was arrested and charged.

Police reportedly confiscated a total of 12 dime bags of marijuana said to have a combined street value of $94.

In court, Eddy explained that he started to smoke marijuana in his twenties, adding that he was ‘following’ friends.

Magistrate Richards granted him $45,000 signed bail and ordered him to get drug counselling.

“You think if I should fine you $100,000 any of them (your friends) will help you pay it? So what’s the sense of following these people?” Senior Magistrate Richards told Eddy, who is scheduled to return to court on July 14.