A MAN caught growing cannabis worth thousands of pounds has escaped jail.

At Exeter Crown Court Peter Wilson, 21, was sentenced to 150 hours of unpaid work in the community after admitting a charge of producing the class B drug at a house in Offwell, near Honiton.

Wilson is now living at another address — not given in court — with his father, who is not connected to the offence.

The court heard that the defendant had told his probation officer that the laws on cannabis should be reconsidered as the current situation was "disastrous".

Prosecutor Mark Barton told the court that police executed a search warrant at Wilson's home in Offwell under Misuse of Drugs legislation on March 4 this year.

"He was very candid and took them to the location where the cannabis was," Mr Barton said.

"It was under the staircase in a cupboard, with cultivation, lighting equipment, ventilation, heating and plant food."

There was 417g of cannabis, with a street value of £2,360. Strong 'skunk' cannabis was also found around other parts of the house. It had been grown and put into storage, and weighed 454g, with a street value of £2,370. Police also found £1,090 in cash in the house.

Mr Barton said that Wilson admitted growing the drug and had pleaded guilty on the basis that it was for his own use.

"He said he was a heavy user of cannabis and not involved in distributing or retailing it in any way, shape or form," Mr Barton said.

The court heard that Wilson had immediately pleaded guilty and had no previous convictions except for a caution.

Mr Barton said police would deal with what would happen to the cash, in a hearing at a magistrates' court.

"There is no suggestion that Mr Wilson was involved in dealing," he said.

Defence counsel Michael Brabin QC said Wilson was concerned that his comments in a pre-sentence report might be taken out of context.

He said: "He is a man of some fairly clear views and is articulate when asked about drugs and legality.

"He says 'I think drugs ought to be legalised.' He says they need to be better controlled as what we are currently doing is disastrous."

Mr Brabin said it was a small scale operation for personal use, as there were five plants under the staircase.

He said Wilson had a job and was "quite an articulate and sensible young man".

Recorder James Townsend told Wilson: "Production of cannabis is a serious offence, as you appreciate, even when the production was solely for your own use.

"Had there been any suggestion that it was for anybody else, even if for no money, a custodial sentence would have been inevitable."

He said he was taking into account that Wilson was young and had no criminal record.

The judge ordered forfeiture and destruction of the drugs and equipment. Wilson must complete the unpaid work within a year.