Contaminated ganja case prompts black market drugs warning

The public is being warned about the risk of consuming contaminated ganja if they purchase drugs illegally on Cayman’s black market.

The concerns came to light during a court case involving a woman who tested positive for methamphetamine, but told the court that she unknowingly consumed the “tainted ganja,” having purchased it on the black market.

Defence counsel James Stenning addressed the court about the dangers involved in purchasing street drugs.

“These are open courts and for the benefit of [people] in the gallery who might be inclined to purchase ganja on the black market because it is cheaper, they should reconsider as these drugs are often prepared in places where they can easily be contaminated,” he cautioned.

The defendant faces one count of possession of ganja, one count of consumption of ganja, one count of consumption of methamphetamine, and one count of consumption of amphetamine.

Appearing before the Summary Court on Tuesday, 14 Feb., she produced a doctor’s note confirming that she had a prescription for medical cannabis.

“Putting our cards on the table, the issue appears to be rather narrow,” Stenning said, stressing that his client accepts that she consumed ganja which was contaminated, having purchased it on the black market.

“[S]he unknowingly consumed the additional illegal substances,” he stressed.

He told the court that although his client had tested positive for the additional drugs, there was no indication of the potency of the illegal substance in the test sample.

“Having worked in a lab in a former profession, I know that these tests simply provide a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer, so we are proposing that the matter be adjourned to allow us to take some samples which will hopefully prove that she is clean and show that this was an isolated incident.”

No pleas were entered during the hearing.

The defendant was released on bail and is due to return to court on 7 March.