A Sliema man was yesterday charged with cultivating a cannabis plant and having it in his possession in circumstances denoting it was not for his personal use.

Jason Mifsud, 28, pleaded not guilty to possessing and cultivating the plant in his Sliema residence on and before May 30, 2002.

Mifsud`s defence counsel, Dr José Herrera, told Magistrate Antonio Mizzi he believed there were certain flaws in the law which, at times, were unjust.

"We have amended the law for drug possession charges to distinguish between drug possession for one`s personal use and drug possession with the intent to sell or share it," the lawyer said.

"But we don`t have the same distinction when it comes to the cultivation of such plants. As a result, a person who grows one cannabis plant at home, just for his own use, faces six months imprisonment.

"My client has resorted to cannabis instead of abusing harder drugs. He has problems but this doesn`t make him a drug trafficker," Dr Herrera argued.

Mifsud was remanded in custody until Monday when his case will be heard by Magistrate Noel Cuschieri.

Police Inspector Josric Mifsud prosecuted.

Dr Herrera appeared for Mifsud.

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