This Is Your One Chance”: Mother of Two Fined & Handed Conditional Discharge for Ganja Offences

By Alric Lindsay

Chief Magistrate Hernandez has granted a conditional discharge to Kerrie Iola Bush, a mother of two, after concluding she was a “responsible parent” who had fallen into the wrong social circles.  The conditional discharge was in relation to her guilty please to possession and consumption of Ganja stemming from a January 2026 incident.

Regarding the incident, the court heard that in January 2026, on Bushy Street, West Bay, Bush was found with 2.23 grams of Ganja in her position.  In addition, it was alleged that, between December 4, 2025 and January 1, 2026, she consumed Ganja.

Defence attorney Richard Barton successfully argued that Bush had completely turned her life around, maintained clean drug screens since September, and was working hard as a primary caregiver for her two young daughters. Describing her as a “woman with promise,” Barton pleaded with the court to protect her employment by avoiding a formal criminal record.

Chief Magistrate Hernandez agreed to grant a 6-month conditional discharge, meaning no conviction will be registered if Bush stays out of trouble. However, the leniency came with an explicit warning from the bench. “This is your one chance,” the Chief Magistrate told Bush, ordering her to stay completely clear of bad company. Bush must also pay $650 in court costs within two weeks and remains subject to random, unannounced drug tests by the court to verify her continued sobriety.