Local Man Placed On Probation & Ordered To Do Community Service For Cannabis Possession and Consumption
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By Alric Lindsay
Michael Rory Moncrieffe, a local man with an unblemished employment record of over two decades, received a conditional discharge for possession and consumption of cannabis today, June 3, 2026. The Chief Magistrate acknowledged the quantity of drugs found but ultimately weighed his exemplary character, full cooperation, and low risk of reoffending against the charges.
The charges stemmed from a search of Moncrieffe’s residence initially for firearms. During the search, authorities discovered 13.1 ounces of Ganja and 1.83 ounces of Ganja resin distributed across five glass jars and one ziplock bag. Moncrieffe fully cooperated with the police, leading them directly to the drugs and admitting to their consumption.
During the proceedings, it was revealed that Moncrieffe had a strong work ethic, and had recently been promoted to engineering technician at the Department of Environmental Health, where he has been employed for over 20 years. His employer provided a glowing reference, and the pre-sentence report (PSR) highlighted his responsible use of cannabis for medicinal purposes, such as migraines. The defence further argued that Moncrieffe was a responsible user who had since applied for a medical cannabis card. His criminal history included only two minor drug offenses from two decades prior.
The Crown requested the destruction of the drugs and the recovery of $272.25 in analysis costs.
While the Chief Magistrate noted she could not ignore that Moncrieffe had nearly a pound of Cannabis, she ultimately recognized Moncrieffe’s exceptional character, his immediate cooperation with law enforcement, and the low likelihood of him reoffending.
Consequently, Moncrieffe was granted a conditional discharge for 12 months. The conditions include compliance with a probation order, completion of sixty hours of community service, and payment of the $272.25 analysis costs within seven days. If Moncrieffe adheres to these conditions, no conviction will be recorded against him, allowing him to maintain his clean record and continue his professional career. The ruling underscored the court’s discretion in balancing the severity of the offence with individual circumstances and the potential for rehabilitation.
