---<br /> <br /> A computer consultant gave up his ukp60,000-a-year job to develop a <br /> cannabis cream as pain relief for his mother, a court has heard.<br /> <br /> Stephen Renton, 38, grew more than 770 plants, with a potential street <br /> value of ukp77,000, in the attic of his flat.<br /> <br /> His mother Sheila has suffered from chronic nerve end damage for 10 years, <br /> while Renton has chronic joint pain.<br /> <br /> He pleaded guilty to producing and supplying cannabis and sentence was <br /> deferred for background reports.<br /> <br /> Firefighters discovered the crop, the largest ever found in the Lothian and <br /> Borders area, when a blaze caused by an electrical fault broke out at <br /> Renton's flat in Midlothian.<br /> <br /> When police raided his home they found a stack of books on growing the <br /> crop, a sophisticated hydroponic system worth up to ukp6,000, a generator <br /> and extensive lighting. In the garage were seeds and plant cuttings stored <br /> in bin bags.<br /> <br /> Advocate Depute Alex Prentice told the High Court in Edinburgh that when <br /> his flat went on fire, Renton panicked about his illegal crop and fled, but <br /> later returned.<br /> <br /> He was arrested and told officers that he "was experimenting with the drug <br /> to help his own ailments and those of others for medical purposes".<br /> <br /> 'An obsession'<br /> <br /> When questioned he admitted giving some of the buds to five friends as well <br /> as the finished creams to his parents.<br /> <br /> Solicitor-advocate Jim Stephenson said that Renton, who is now again <br /> employed as an information technology consultant in Manchester, had turned <br /> to cannabis after becoming disillusioned with NHS treatments and <br /> alternative medicines for pain.<br /> <br /> The lawyer said that his client was devoted to his parents and, after <br /> giving up his profession, channelled all his energy into developing the <br /> perfect plant and the perfect medicinal cream. "It became an obsession," he <br /> said.<br /> <br /> Mr Stephenson said the scheme had not been a commercial venture and "there <br /> was no sign of a lavish lifestyle".<br /> <br /> Following the flat blaze, Renton was in debt but is now once again earning <br /> a good wage and has recently married, he added.<br /> <br /> The accused pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of and <br /> producing cannabis between May 2002 and May 2004.<br /> <br /> Lady Dorrian deferred sentence for background reports and set a date for a <br /> hearing on the confiscation of crime proceeds.<br /> <br /> <br />Aurora Indica |  B52 |  Big Bud |  California Orange Bud |  Citral |  Four Way |  Haze |  Hindu Kush |  Indoor Mix |  Jock Horror |  K2 |  Maroc x Afghan |  Northern Light x Big Bud |  Northern Light x Haze |  Northern Light x Shiva |  Shiva |  Skunk #1 |  Skunk Red Hair |  Skunk Special |  Papaya |  White Rhino |  Haze 19 x Skunk |  Afghan |  Master Kush |  Northern Light |  Super Skunk |  Top 44 |  Durban Poison |  Early Bud |  Early Girl |  Early Misty |  Early Special |  Hawaii x Maui Waui |  Hawaii x Skunk #1 |  Hollands Hope |  KC 33 x Master Kush |  Mixed Sativa |  New Purple Power |  Swazi |  Swiss Miss |  Northern Bright |  Snow White (fem.) |  Supergirl |  Venus |  Wonder Woman |  Kaya |  PPP (fem.) |  Medusa |  Blue Mystic |  Chrystal |  Ice |  Misty |  PPP |  White Widow |  Nirvana Special |  White Rhino |  Snow White |  AK-48 |  Bubblelicious |  Silver Pearl |  Haze |  Jock Horror |  Northern Light x Haze |  White Rhino |  Haze 19 x Skunk |