A CANNABIS smoker who said he used the drug to treat anxiety has been sent on an emotional resilience course after being arrested on a train.

Christman Morgan attracted the attention of British Transport police because he reeked of skunk as he boarded a train at Torre Station.

He was arrested when he left the train at Teignmouth and found with 15 grams of cannabis in his jacket pocket.

He told the police he used it to treat breathing difficulties induced by anxiety and had bought the drug in bulk because it was cheaper.

He was prosecuted rather than cautioned because he was in breach of a suspended sentence for an earlier, unconnected assault. It meant he was at risk of having the 16 month sentence activated.

Morgan, aged 25, of Higher Woodway Close, Teignmouth, but currently living at a guest house in Preston, Paignton, admitted personal possession of cannabis and breach of a suspended sentence.

He was ordered to attend an emotional resilience course during six days of rehabilitation activities and to do 40 hours unpaid community work by Recorder Miss Suzanne Chalmers at Exeter Crown Court.

She told him the course would address the problems that led him to use drugs and help him to get back to full time work.

Miss Sophie Johns, prosecuting, said Morgan came to the notice of transport police at Torre station as he boarded a train at 1.30 pm on September 17 this year.

She said: ‘The officers could smell cannabis and he was asked if he had anything he shouldn’t have and he said he had a small amount for his personal use.

‘He got off the train in Teignmouth and was searched. He had 15 grams of cannabis in his jacket pocket which he said he bought in bulk to get a better price. He said he used it for anxiety and to alleviate breathing difficulties.’

Mr Nigel Wraith, defending, said Morgan had gone to his doctor and was receiving more conventional treatments, which had enabled him to reduce his use of cannabis. 

He had performed well on his suspended sentence apart from this arrest and had been recommended for further rehabilitation activities. He is hoping to start an apprenticeship as a plumber

Mr Wraith said: ‘It is an unusual explanation that he was using cannabis to treat breathing difficulties but he says they were caused by anxiety and it was useful in reducing that.’