The Lilongwe First Grade Magistrate Court has fined Modesta Martin K800,000 for possessing cannabis sativa, a violation of Section 4(a) of the Dangerous Drug Act.
This section prohibits the possession of recreational marijuana, and in default of payment, she faces a three-year jail term.
Martin, 39, was arrested by Lingadzi Police during a raid on her home where she was caught attempting to sell the illegal substance to potential customers.
Law enforcers seized 12 bags of the drug and two packs of cannabis seeds, which were certified by Chitedze Research Station after analysis.
In court, Martin pleaded guilty and cited financial challenges as the reason for her crime and requested a non-custodial sentence to continue caring for her two children.
However, First Grade Magistrate Amran Phiri imposed the fine to serve as a deterrent to other would-be offenders.
Martin hails from Kanjovu village, Traditional Authority Kachindamoto in Dedza district.
