In 1968 I was 18 when convicted of cultivation of cannabis. Police, through an anonymous 'tip', discovered a soup plate of dirt containing 6 un-germinated cannabis seeds at my home. My motivation for this act was pure curiosity. Over the last 51 years this conviction has impacted my life on many occasions. My working career has given me opportunities to work and reside overseas. Each time I have applied for an overseas working visa I have been required to provide a full Justice Dept record of convictions. This conviction recorded on this report has impacted those visa applications. 51 years ago I made a simple mistake, no further convictions since but it still impacts my life today.
