A New Mexico man has pleaded guilty to importing cannabis to the Island, saying that he had the drug to ease back pain.

Randall Fort, 58, from Albuquerque, was charged in Magistrates' Court with importing 2.16 grams of cannabis to the Island.

According to Crown counsel Larissa Burgess, Fort arrived on a flight from New York at around 8 p.m. last Monday.

He was selected for a secondary search and officers searching his carry-on bag discovered a zip-lock bag containing plant material.

Representing Fort, lawyer Mark Daniels explained that the American visitor used the drug only to ease back pain.

"He made a poor choice in bringing this to the country, but his use of this substance is for medical purposes," said Mr. Daniels.

While medical marijuana is legal in the state of New Mexico, Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner was quick to point out that it is illegal in Bermuda, fining Fort $1,500 to be paid by the end of the day.