A Warracknabeal man has pleaded guilty to growing two "very large cannabis plants" at home to save himself "$10,000 a year".
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Ben Gallagher appeared at Horsham Magistrates Court on Monday to face charges of cannabis use and cultivation. He pleaded guilty to all charges.
Police executed a drug search warrant at a Warracknabeal residence on April 2, 2019, where the two cannabis plants were found growing between a garden shed and the boundary fence of the property.
Police prosecutor Senior Sergeant Belinda Ryan said Mr Gallagher was arrested and interviewed by police, where he admitted to growing the plants, saying "it saved him $10,000 a year."
Magistrate Simon Zebrowski queried how big the plants were, before Ms Ryan handed him a photo of the plants in question.
"Geez (sic), they are pretty big aren't they," he remarked.
The court heard Mr Gallagher admitted to growing cannabis for 15 years, and would spend three to four hours a day trimming the leaves of the plants on his property.
Defence lawyer Adrian Paull said Mr Gallagher had admitted to "smoking every day" in the past, and the plants on the property were for personal use.
"It hasn't got the sophistication of a commercial operation," Mr Paull said.
Mr Paull said the defendant - who has a Diploma in Horticulture - placed six chicken eggs in the ground when he planted the cannabis seeds, to be used as fertiliser when the plants grew through.
"Did it work?," Magistrate Simon Zebrowski said.
"I'd suggest it works your honour," Mr Paull replied.
The court heard Mr Gallagher spent 47 days in custody last year after breaching bail conditions.
"When he came out he made a promise to his kids that he wouldn't do drugs," Mr Paull said.
"He hasn't smoked any substances, any cannabis since."
Mr Zebrowski ruled Mr Gallagher be assessed for a community corrections order, in light of his time spent in custody and his efforts to stay clean.
"In view of all the circumstances it will be rehabilitation only," he said.
"This is just purely treatment to make sure you stay off the drugs."