Linda Maddaford and her family were relieved last Wednesday when a judge granted the 55-year-old woman an absolute discharge after growing marijuana without a licence.
Maddaford was charged by RCMP in July last year for possession of marijuana. She had been growing and using it medicinally for a workplace injury and continued after her licence lapsed.
The medicinal marijuana licence was approved by a doctor and renewed about one month after Maddaford was caught with the drugs. She said she had tried to renew it before it expired, but her doctor's practice had closed and her new doctor did not agree with medicinal marijuana use.
Maddaford continued to bake with the drug to alleviate constant pain and nausea.
Allergies to pharmaceuticals made it impossible to get a different prescription.
When RCMP searched Maddaford's residence, they found two plants and just over 44 grams of dried marijuana.
The judge granted Maddaford absolute discharge with the caveat she must keep her licence current. Her unique situation and lack of previous record informed the lenient decision.
