Alric Lindsay 
By Alric Lindsay
A 19-year-old woman who was given the chance to keep a clean record has been ordered to undergo a pre-sentencing report after testing positive for cannabis on three consecutive weeks.
The teenager appeared in the Summary Court today, September 1, 2026, on a single charge of consumption of Ganja, contrary to the Misuse of Drugs Act. The allegation was that, on a date unknown between December 8, 2025 and January 5, 2026 she consumed a controlled drug without lawful excuse or authorisation.
Reportedly, she was placed on a testing timetable because she had indicated she had a clean record and wished to keep it. Tests taken in August were all positive.
The Chief Magistrate ordered a pre-sentencing report and directed that testing continue on Mondays until sentencing. Defence counsel, Stacy-Ann Kelly, asked whether her client might be given a further opportunity to provide a clean test; the Chief Magistrate said the report would be prepared and testing would continue in the meantime.
Addressing the defendant directly, the Chief Magistrate spoke about the effect of cannabis on young people, telling her that young people are seeing increased rates of psychosis as a result and that “the studies are all there.”
“At 19, you’re being given a chance by this court and you continue to smoke,” she said. “You have an addiction to it. You continue to smoke because the court has given you a chance and you keep coming back positive.”
“It is going to be totally your decision whether you get a conviction or not,” the Chief Magistrate said. “[If] you want a future, I suggest you change your attitude towards Ganja.”
