A man found guilty of driving with an illicit drug present in his blood will have no conviction recorded against him, on the condition he serve a 12-month good behaviour bond.
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Dubbo Local Court heard the 44-year-old had suffered depression since childhood and self-medicated with cannabis.
The defence said the man had tried other anti-depressants but they had not been effective.
It was akin to a low-range drink-driving offence and the man had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity, the solicitor submitted.
He asked magistrate Andrew Eckhold to consider discharging the man without conviction on the condition the man entered a bond.
The prosecutor told the court he did not wish to be heard.
The magistrate said an unusual reference had been tendered - being the man was supported in the use of cannabis by his general practitioner because he had a reaction to other treatments.
Mr Eckhold said the law maintained the illegality of cannabis use and he was there to uphold the law.
He said he noted the plea of guilty at the first opportunity and that the man had no prior major offences.
The man was discharged on the condition he enter into the bond.