A man has narrowly avoided jail after he admitted growing cannabis plants that couldn’t get him high.
Ace Leslie was caught by police at his Aberdeen home growing four hemp plants – a strain of cannabis known for its low levels of the psychoactive chemical compound THC.
Officers uncovered the scheme after visiting his “uncommonly hot” flat at the city’s 41 Harris Drive.
And when questioned about the temperature, he confessed he had a “minor cannabis cultivation” stashed away.
Yesterday the 38-year-old appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court and admitted producing the Class B drug on July 27 last year.
Representing the repeat offender, solicitor Mike Monro said Leslie’s cannabis growing experiment as a “pathetic attempt” to cultivate something smokable from seeds he bought legally.
Mr Monro said Leslie was aware that his low-grade crop was likely to have “negligible” levels of THC but accepted that his ultimate goal was to try to produce something for his own personal use.
The solicitor said Leslie was hoping for a “minor miracle”.
Sheriff Donald Ferguson ordered Leslie to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work in the community within six months as a direct alternative to jail.
He also placed him under supervision for a year where he will be required to attend drug counselling sessions.