Derry Judge expresses astonishment that cannabis seeds can be legally sold

The Recorder at Derry Crown Court has said he is ‘totally astonished’ that cannabis seeds can be sold legally when their only use is for illegal purposes.
Judge Des Marrinan’s comments came as he sentenced two men from Strathfoyle in the city for cultivating cannabis plants and for possessing the drug with intent to supply.
Edward Porter (26) of Otterbank Road and Ryan Christopher Miller (19) of Clareen Drive both in Derry admitted the offences which occurred on May 19 last year.
The court heard tat when police raided the house the men were tenants in they found two immature cannabis plants and also a cupboard that was beig converted into a cultivation area.
At interview both men admitted their involvement and Porter accepted he was going to sell cannabis to his friends.
A defence barrister said that as far as Porter was concerned he had been ‘frank’ with the police.
The Judge asked where people got cannabis seeds and when told they were sold legally he asked what was the point in allowing people to buy things that could only be used for an illegal purpose.
He said he was astonished that someone could buy seeds legally he added that it was a ‘disturbing case’ and congratulated the police for ‘nipping it in the bud.’