A man who supplied drugs to friends has been warned by a judge to stop his illegal behaviour.
Mark Bentham of Marsh Green admitted possessing cannabis and amphetamine with intent to supply.
Judge Brian Lewis told him: "Whatever misguided comments about the use of cannabis that might appear in the media there is an accumulating body of eviden
ce about the damage cannabis does to its consumers in the long term, particularly to mental health."
"If you go on using cannabis or become involved in the supply at any level the result will be you will be sent to prison for longer and longer periods until you learn your lesson," he said.
It had initially been claimed that 23-year-old Bentham had been involved in commercial drug dealing, which he denied saying he was only supplying a tight circle of friends which the judge accepted.
Liverpool Crown Court heard that when police raided his home on October 5 last year, as well as amphetamine and cannabis, they found a total of £4,875 cash. It was accepted by the judge that only £1,750 of it was from drug dealing.
Bentham, 23, of Vincent Way, Marsh Green, was sentenced to eight months imprisonment suspended for two years and placed under supervision for two years.
Brian McKenna, defending, said Bentham had set up his own business after losing his job and began selling cannabis to friends to finance his plans.
