AN army veteran made cannabis oil from plants grown at his home to alleviate his post-traumatic stress disorder, a court has heard.

Cops found herbal cannabis and other items at Alex Storer’s flat in John Knox Street, Whitecrook, during a search in January 2019.

The 57-year-old appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on Friday for sentencing after pleading guilty to charges of possessing and producing a controlled drug.

Fiscal depute Sarah Healing said: “During the search a total of 362 grams of herbal cannabis was recovered.

“It was clear that the accused was growing the cannabis, because there were associated items within the property, including fertiliser, bulbs and plant pots.

“The accused was arrested and taken to Clydebank police office; during an interview he indicated to police that he was growing it for the purpose of making cannabis oil.”

A background social work report on Storer was provided before Friday’s hearing, when his solicitor, Andrew Lambie, also produced a medical report.

Ms Healing said that Police Scotland had been of the view that a significant amount of herbal cannabis would be required for the production of cannabis oil.

Mr Lambie said: “He accepts that he was growing cannabis in his flat, and from that he was making cannabis oil.

“He was taking the oil for medicinal purposes; he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of his service in the army some years ago.

“He also takes it for another medical condition which is mentioned in the report.

“He thinks there is some benefit from using cannabis, but he has not used it since January of last year.”

Sheriff William Gallacher said: “Whatever his own views, he was involved in significant offending, and I can’t distance myself from that.”

Sheriff Gallacher told Storer: “You clearly have definitive views on what you are entitled to do; the law doesn’t allow that.

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“My duty is to apply the law, and you were producing a significant amount of a drug which parliament says is unlawful.”

Storer was made the subject of a ‘restriction of liberty order’ confining him to his home every night between 7pm and 7am until mid-May.