Appearing at Bendigo Magistrates Court this week, Stuart Robert Bryce, 48, told the court he used the drug to help him relax.

Prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Mark Snell said that on January 16 this year Bryce was seen leaving a California Gully property about 5.20pm.

Police earlier learned he would have drugs.

A search of his car revealed cannabis in the centre console of the vehicle.

Bryce was arrested and taken to the Bendigo police station, where he admitted that the drugs were his and he used them to relax.

Defence lawyer Clare Vierboom said Bryce had used cannabis to ease coeliac disease and fibromyalgia.

“He is, however, trying to give up cannabis use,’’ she said.

He was on disability support, and had to buy specialty food for his condition.

“Cannabis is not that cheap is it?’’ magistrate William Gibb replied.

“You say you take it to deal with anxiety.

“You’ll be anxious if you keep coming before the courts on these matters.’’