The drug was found in a box beneath a bed in mum-of-two Donna Billingham's home – but she told police she had forgotten it was there.

Prosecutor Helen Griffiths told Chesterfield magistrates last Wednesday: "She said she had used cannabis for medicinal purposes to help her with pain in her right arm, which occurred as a result of a stroke. She declined to say who she had bought the drug from."

Billingham (33), of Davey Court, admitted possessing cannabis on 27th November and was also ordered to pay £60 costs.

In mitigation, Julie Page told the court: "She says cannabis is the only drug she has ever used. She had a stroke in September 2003 and was in a coma for six weeks.

"Since then she has had pain and restricted movement in her right shoulder and arm. She has been prescribed a variety of medication which have always left her with pain.

"Ironically, she had stopped using cannabis by the time police visited her as it was an expense she could not afford.

"Police believed there may have been other adults at the address who might be involved in drug use but that wasn't the case."