Cannabis grower dobs himself in to police about illegal crop in Denmark backyard

A 72-year-old Denmark man called police to dob himself in for growing six cannabis plants in his backyard. Norman Arthur Sharp appeared in Albany Magistrate’s Court last Thursday and pleaded guilty to cultivating six cannabis plants at his Denmark property last year. He also pleaded guilty to possessing bags of cannabis for personal use. Police prosecutor Sgt Dave Loverock told the court about 2.10am on November 20, Sharp called police and made a confession about his illegal crop. When officers arrived at his home, he showed them the five plants in the backyard and one smaller plant in a planter box. He said he was growing the cannabis for personal use. Defence counsel Graeme Payne told the court his client had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder 12 years earlier. Mr Payne described it as “unusual self-disclosure”. “Mr Sharp was taking irregular medication leading up to the offence and had an episode just prior,” he said. “He rang police to dob himself in ... in his manic state he thought it was the best option to tell police.” Magistrate Diane Scadden said it was an unusual case. “With your diagnosis, it is important you are taking your medication,” she said. “You deciding when and what you should take is not helpful. “Diagnosis of bipolar, not taking medication and using cannabis is not a happy relationship.” Sharp was fined $750.