The 71-year-old accused pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis for the purpose of distribution after police seized 500 marijuana plants and over 700 kilograms of processed cannabis from his property.
The accused and his spouse had significant neurological problems and limited income.
While the accused had a related criminal record and the seized drugs had an estimated value of nearly $1 million, the court found his moral blameworthiness lessened because he and his spouse possessed Health Canada licences that were either expired or in the spouse's name.
The court imposed a conditional sentence of two years less a day, finding it adequately met the principles of denunciation and deterrence given the unique circumstances.
