S. Dawson

The applicant pleaded guilty to producing marijuana and cannabis resin.

The Crown initially sought a mandatory minimum sentence but later withdrew its notice, rendering the applicant's constitutional challenge to the mandatory minimum provision moot.

The applicant argued the court should still hear the challenge based on the Borowski principles.

The court declined to exercise its discretion to hear the moot challenge, noting that a similar constitutional issue was already under appellate review, the provision did not create an inflationary floor for sentencing, and hearing the application would unduly consume judicial resources.

The offender pleaded guilty to producing marijuana after police found 29 plants in his home, which he shared with his 13-year-old daughter.

He grew the marijuana for personal use to manage chronic pain and sold surplus to friends.

The Crown initially sought a mandatory minimum sentence of six months but withdrew its notice, rendering a constitutional challenge moot.

The court considered the offender's lack of a criminal record, guilty plea, remorse, and positive rehabilitation efforts.

The court imposed a suspended sentence and 18 months of probation.