An MP caught driving with drugs in his system has been given a licence reprieve so he can make the 700km round trip to do his job in a state parliament in the absence of public transport.

Independent Tasmanian MP Craig Garland had his licence cancelled for six months but will still be able to drive to work after a ruling at Burnie Magistrates Court, in Tasmania 's north, today.

Garland previously pleaded guilty to drug driving after cannabis was detected during a failed roadside test while he was on a fishing trip in November 2024.

While he did not have a prescription for medicinal cannabis at the time, he had since sought one to help manage his sciatica and ongoing pain from a shoulder reconstruction after deciding not to use pharmaceutical drugs, the court was told.

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