A Derry court has heard that Xanax, which is ‘pure poison’, is classified as a Class C drug while Cannabis was upgraded to a Class B drug after being declassified for a short period of time.
Frank McShane, 42, of Carnhill, admitted possessing Class B drug Cannabis on November 15, 2017.
A search was conducted at his address on that date when £10 worth of Cannabis resin was found. The defendant admitted that he used to smoke Cannabis years ago but denied the drugs found belonged to him.
Defence solicitor Seamus Quigley said similar entries on his client’s record may cause the court concern but on this occasion it was a ‘very minimal’ amount.
District Judge Barney McElholm said Cannabis had been downgraded to a Class C drug at one time, however, due to ‘fearless campaigning’ by certain people it was reclassified as a Class B drug. “The association with lefties couldn’t be tolerated,” he added.
Drugs such as Xanax, which he described as ‘pure poison’ are Class C drugs.
The District Judge said he wasn’t going to send McShane to prison for £10 worth of Cannabis. The 42-year-old was fined £200.
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