The 63-year-old Crescent Head man, a long-time staunch campaigner for the legalisation of medicinal cannabis and owner of the registered company Mullaways Medical Cannabis Pty Ltd, appeared in court on March 4. A sentencing submission for home detention was lodged with Judge Leonie Flannery.

Mr Bower, who has provided medicinal cannabis to hundreds of families across Australia for chronic pain relief and terminal illness management, was arrested and charged with cultivating prohibited plant, dealing in the proceeds of crime, possessing a prohibited drug and supplying prohibited drug after police executed a raid on a property near Kempsey last year.

Police located a large amount of cash, cannabis leaf and 280 cannabis plants. Mr Bower pleaded guilty to the offences.

Mr Bower, who in 2014 was charged under the Drugs Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985 but had a 12 month jail sentence overturned following an appeal, remained in custody for several months while his case was heard before the Port Macquarie court.

Campaigners for the decriminalisation of cannabis rallied to show their support outside the court during Mr Bower's initial hearings. The maximum penalty for cultivating a prohibited plant is 15 years in jail. 

The case has been adjourned to Port Macquarie District Court on April 1 where the submission for home detention will be determined.