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BOBBI-JEAN MACKINNON
Telegraph-Journal

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SAINT JOHN - A west Saint John man, who says he smokes 10 to 12 marijuana joints a day and that the significant grow-op he had in his basement was for personal use only, has been given a six-month conditional sentence, to be served in the community on house arrest.

Stephen Michael Mantin, 38, of Stevens Road, was also fined $1,000 after changing his plea to guilty of producing marijuana.

"If you choose to continue to use (marijuana), you do so at your peril," cautioned provincial court Judge Alfred Brien. The maximum sentence for producing marijuana is seven years, he said.

Saint John police received a tip about a possible grow-op in Mantin's home last winter, acting Crown prosecutor Stephen Wood told the court. So they checked with Saint John Energy officials and learned Mantin was consuming about twice as much power as the previous owner, he said.

"That's consistent with operating 1,000-watt bulbs for 18-hour cycles" for a grow-op, said Wood.

Police also used infrared heat-sensing equipment and found Mantin's basement was much hotter than the upstairs.

Armed with that information, police obtained a search warrant, which was executed on April 29. They found about 580 grams of bud, 516 grams of shake, and 11 plants, with an estimated street value of nearly $23,000, said Wood.

Defence lawyer David Kelly said Mantin used to have an alcohol problem and has "basically substituted one bad habit for another-" and the replacement habit is illegal.

The father of four started smoking marijuana when he was 12 years old and currently smokes up to 12 joints a day, said Kelly.

He claims it helps him deal with the stress of his job and family life and helps him sleep.

Brien noted that Mantin told the probation officer who completed a pre-sentence report that he has "every intention to continue using.

"You're not saying you've learned a lesson," the judge said.

"If you choose that, you'll be in contravention of the law quite often. ... Obviously you have some decisions to make."

Mantin can only leave his house for work, community service work, medical and legal appointments. He's also allowed one hour a day for fresh air and exercise and two hours once a week for personal errands.

Brien also ordered him to allow police to enter his residence without a warrant to ensure compliance, to attend Ridgewood Addiction Services for substance abuse evaluation, to keep the peace, and pay a $150 victim fine surcharge.

He is also prohibited from owning any weapons for 10 years and any restricted weapons for life.