An Embu magistrate yesterday ordered a psychiatric examination for a man who asked him to explain why he thought bhang was illegal.

Shadrack Mutindo had pleaded guilty to possession of five rolls of the drug before Embu magistrate Dick Ochora. Asked how he pleaded in mitigation, Mutindo wondered why he had been arrested for possessing the drug while he had used it for over 12 years.

"Your Honour could you explain to me why you say bhang is bad and illegal while I have smoked it for over 12 years, and I don't find anything wrong with it?" asked Mutindo.

The magistrate told him that he was following the law and the offender was taken to Embu Provincial General Hospital for an examination to establish if he was of sound mind.

The the offense was committed at Grogon Estate in Embu Town on January 2.