Exeter court reporter Edward Davenport writes for the Journal.

A cannabis user who grew 1.7 kilograms of the drug to treat chronic pain was caught by police after trying to send a small parcel of the drug to a friend.

Melanie Standfast posted the package at the Post Office inside W H Smith in Exmouth but staff noticed the pungent smell of skunk cannabis and alerted the police.

They examined the parcel and discovered that Standfast had re-used an old envelope that had her address on it. They raided the house in Midway, Exmouth, and found a cannabis growing operation with 20 plants.

It included growing tents and drying areas along with 1.7 kilos of flowering head which came from a previous harvest.  The maximum potential street value of the drugs was £20,000 but Standfast said she was intending to use it for personal pain relief.

Standfast, aged 45, of Midway, Exmouth, admitted production of cannabis. Her landlord Peter Jackson, aged 55, of the same address, admitted permitting premises to be used for the cultivation of cannabis.

She was jailed for 20 months, suspended for two years and ordered to do 150 hours unpaid community work and he was curfewed for 28 days by Judge James Adkins at Exeter Crown Court.

The judge told her that her mitigation took the case to the bottom of the sentencing range and said: “The crop was for yourself and was to deal with ill health. I treat you as a woman of good character.” He told Jackson he had acted out of misplaced loyalty.

Miss Beth Rickerby, prosecuting, said staff at the Post Office in W H Smith called police on March 14 last year after noticing a strong smell coming from a parcel. They checked CCTV and saw a woman posting the item.

Her own address was found under the one on the package and police searched the house and found plants growing in two tents in the attic. There were multiple jars containing cannabis around the house and evidence of a recent harvest.

There were drying racks and six large bags full hanging from the roof and one in a tent. The parcel contained 26.9 grams of cannabis, which is just under an ounce, and the total recovered from the house was 1.7 kilograms.

Jackson told police the grow belonged to Standfast but admitted knowing about it and paying for the electricity.

Mr Warren Robinson, for Standfast, asked the Judge to follow the suggestions of a probation report which said she was at low risk of reoffending and a good prospect for rehabilitation.

He said she is remorseful and has now gone to her GP to obtain more appropriate forms of pain relief.

Mr Michael Brown, for Jackson, said his role had been far more minor and that guidelines suggest he should receive a community penalty.